German word

Verhör

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈhøːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • neuter nouninterrogation

Example

Mehrere Verhöre dauerten lange.

Several interrogations lasted a long time.

Illustration for Verhör (interrogation)

More examples

Die Polizei führte ein Verhör mit dem Zeugen.

The police conducted an interrogation of the witness.

Core concept

A tense exchange in which authorities test a person's story against known evidence.

Common phrases

  • ein Verhör führen

    conduct an interrogation

  • ein Verhör durchführen

    carry out an interrogation

Similar words

Vernehmung: Formal questioning of a suspect or witness during an investigation or trial.
Befragung: Purposeful questioning of one or more people to gather information.
Gespräch: A private or workplace conversation for exchanging ideas or information.
Anhörung: An official court or committee session for hearing views or testimony.

Definition in German

Ein Verhör ist eine formelle Befragung durch Polizei oder Justiz mit dem Ziel, Sachverhalte aufzuklären.

Word origin

Verhör is a noun formed from the verb verhören, an old Germanic formation related to hören, 'to hear', that developed the meaning of official questioning.

Usage tips

  • Verhör is strongly associated with police or judicial proceedings, while Befragung is broader and more neutral.

Other meanings

  • questioningnoun

Related words

  • verhöreninterrogateverb
  • Verhörrauminterrogation roomnoun
  • Verhörprotokollinterrogation reportnoun

Word lists with this word