German word

Untersuchungshaft

Pronunciation

IPA/ʊntɐˈzuːxʊŋsˌhaft/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpretrial detention

Example

Die Dauer der Untersuchungshaft betrug drei Monate.

The period of pretrial detention was three months.

Illustration for Untersuchungshaft (pretrial detention)

More examples

Das Gericht ordnete keine Verlängerung der Untersuchungshaft an.

The court did not order an extension of the pretrial detention.

Core concept

A person is held in custody while authorities investigate a suspected offence, before a court has imposed a sentence.

Common phrases

  • in Untersuchungshaft sitzen

    be in pretrial detention

  • Dauer der Untersuchungshaft

    duration of pretrial detention

  • aus der Untersuchungshaft entlassen werden

    be released from pretrial detention

Similar words

Festnahme: The act of placing a suspect in custody when caught or suspected of an offence.
Haftbefehl: A formal order from a court or prosecutor requiring a suspect's arrest.
U-Haft: A shortened expression for detention before trial, especially in media reports.
Strafhaft: Custody in prison to serve a sentence after a guilty verdict.

Definition in German

Untersuchungshaft ist die vorläufige Freiheitsentziehung während eines Ermittlungsverfahrens, um Flucht, Verdunkelung oder Gefährdung zu verhindern.

Word origin

Untersuchungshaft combines Untersuchung, an investigation, with Haft, detention or imprisonment, so it literally denotes detention during an investigation.

Usage tips

  • Untersuchungshaft is a feminine noun, and the standard phrase is in Untersuchungshaft sitzen, meaning to be held in pretrial detention.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word