German word

fangen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfaŋən/

Meaning

  • verbcatch

Example

Der Junge fängt den Ball.

The boy catches the ball.

Illustration for fangen (catch)

More examples

Kannst du den Ball fangen?

Can you catch the ball?

Core concept

Something moving meets a closing grip that prevents its escape.

Common phrases

  • den Ball fangen

    catch the ball

  • einen Fisch fangen

    catch a fish

  • eine Maus fangen

    catch a mouse

Similar words

packen: Take hold of something with force.
erwischen: Manage to catch someone or something in time.
festhalten: Hold someone or something without letting go.
verhaften: Place a suspect under official arrest.

Definition in German

mit einer schnellen Bewegung greifen, um eine Person oder Sache am Entkommen zu hindern.

Word origin

The German verb fangen continues the Old High German form fāhan and the Middle High German form vāhen, both associated with seizing or capturing.

Usage tips

  • For a clearly stated arrest, German often uses festnehmen or verhaften, whereas fangen can also describe catching objects or animals.

Other meanings

  • arrestverb
  • captureverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Fangencatchingnoun
  • gefangencaughtadjective

Word lists with this word