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Illustration of the B1 German word “der Detektiv”, which translates to “detective”. A sleuth wearing a hat made of shadows, using a flashlight that casts beams of light to reveal hidden footprints made of stardust.
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Detektiv is one of the B1 words in the free course — with this picture, the audio, and spaced repetition.

derDetektiv, -e

detective

/detɛkˈtiːf/

Examples — Detektiv in a sentence

Der Detektiv löste den Fall nach langer Ermittlung.

The detective solved the case after a long investigation.

Sie liest gerne Bücher über einen klugen Detektiv.

She likes to read books about a clever detective.

How to remember it

DEH-tek-TEEF sounds like 'detect a thief' — exactly what a detective does!

More B1 words

Illustration of the B1 German word “der Diebstahl”, which translates to “theft”. Close-up of a masked raccoon burglar tiptoeing away clutching a huge glowing golden gem, one exaggerated sneaky step frozen mid-air under a spotlight moon.
der Diebstahl

/ˈdiːpˌʃtaːl/

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theft

Examples

Der Diebstahl wurde sofort der Polizei gemeldet.

The theft was immediately reported to the police.

Leider nimmt die Zahl der Diebstähle in der Stadt zu.

Unfortunately, the number of thefts in the city is increasing.

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Illustration of the B1 German word “der Einbruch”, which translates to “break-in / burglary”. A masked raccoon in a striped jersey squeezes head-first through a jagged hole in a windowpane, hind legs still kicking outside in the moonlight.
der Einbruch

/ˈaɪ̯nˌbʁʊx/

break-in / burglary

Examples

Nach dem Einbruch war das Fenster zerbrochen.

After the break-in, the window was broken.

Die Alarmanlage sollte einen Einbruch verhindern helfen.

The alarm system should help prevent a burglary.

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Illustration of the B1 German word “ermitteln”, which translates to “to investigate”. Close-up of a badger detective pressing a huge glowing magnifying glass to a bright fresh clue-print, the little mystery blazing sharp inside the giant lens.
ermitteln

/ɛɐ̯ˈmɪtl̩n/

to investigate

Principal parts

ermitteln, ermittelte, hat ermittelt

ich ermittle
du ermittelst
er/sie/es ermittelt
wir ermitteln
ihr ermittelt
sie/Sie ermitteln

Examples

Die Polizei ermittelt den genauen Tathergang.

The police are investigating the exact course of events.

Er muss noch die Kosten für das Projekt ermitteln.

He still has to determine the costs for the project.

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Illustration of the B1 German word “die Ermittlung”, which translates to “investigation”. A huge glowing evidence board fills the frame, bright red threads pinned between clues, one small fox detective at the centre tracing a single shining strand with its paw.
die Ermittlung

/ɛɐ̯ˈmɪtlʊŋ/

investigation

Examples

Die Polizei hat die Ermittlung eingeleitet.

The police have started the investigation.

Eine detaillierte Ermittlung ist erforderlich.

A detailed investigation is necessary.

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Illustration of the B1 German word “festnehmen”, which translates to “to arrest”. A stout bulldog in a police cap clips oversized golden handcuffs onto a runaway gingerbread man frozen mid-stride on a cobblestone street.
festnehmen

/ˈfɛstˌneːmən/

to arrest

Principal parts

festnehmen, nahm fest, hat festgenommen

ich nehme fest
du nimmst fest
er/sie/es nimmt fest
wir nehmen fest
ihr nehmt fest
sie/Sie nehmen fest

Examples

Die Beamten konnten den Verdächtigen festnehmen.

The officers were able to arrest the suspect.

Der Kriminelle wurde gestern Abend festgenommen.

The criminal was arrested last night.

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Illustration of the B1 German word “freilassen”, which translates to “to release / to let go free”. A tortoise gardener tips open a glass jar at dusk, one glowing firefly rising out of it into the violet sky, the jar still tilted in his claws.
freilassen

/ˈfʁaɪ̯ˌlasn̩/

to release / to let go free

Principal parts

freilassen, ließ frei, hat freigelassen

ich lasse frei
du lässt frei
er/sie/es lässt frei
wir lassen frei
ihr lasst frei
sie/Sie lassen frei

Examples

Der gefangene Vogel wurde endlich freigelassen.

The captured bird was finally released.

Man sollte unschuldige Menschen sofort freilassen.

One should release innocent people immediately.

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masculine Diebstahl — theft

DiebstahlEinbruchermittelnErmittlungfestnehmenfreilassenAll German word pages

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