German word

Verhaftung

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈhaftʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounarrest

Example

Die Verhaftung des Verdächtigen erfolgte gestern.

The suspect's arrest took place yesterday.

Illustration for Verhaftung (arrest)

More examples

Es gab eine vorläufige Verhaftung zur Identitätsklärung.

There was a provisional arrest to clarify the person's identity.

Core concept

A legal hand closes around a suspect's freedom, leaving movement under official control.

Common phrases

  • vorläufige Verhaftung

    provisional arrest

  • die Verhaftung bestätigen

    confirm the arrest

Similar words

Festnahme: Taking someone into custody at the scene for a short time.
Haftbefehl: A court order authorizing detention and providing the legal basis for an arrest.
Inhaftierung: The state of being confined in a facility for a long period after trial or punishment.
Arrest: A brief period of detention, sometimes imposed as a punishment.

Definition in German

Die rechtswirksame Festnahme einer Person durch Polizei oder Justiz, oft mit anschließender Inhaftierung.

Word origin

Verhaftung is formed from verhaften with -ung; verhaften is historically related to haften, "to hold fast," so the noun denotes an act or result of holding someone in custody.

Usage tips

  • Verhaftung has a formal legal register, while Festnahme often describes the immediate act of taking someone into custody.

Other meanings

  • detentionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • verhaftenarrestverb
  • Verhaftungsbefehlarrest warrantnoun

Word lists with this word