Ermittlungen führen
To conduct investigation
حرفيًا: Investigations to lead
Use this phrase for official police or corporate investigations, never for finding lost household items.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for official, legal, or professional investigations.
- Common in news reports and police contexts.
- Combines the noun 'Ermittlungen' with the verb 'führen'.
المعنى
This phrase describes the official process of investigating a crime or a serious incident. It is what the police, prosecutors, or authorities do when they are trying to solve a mystery or find a culprit.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Reading a news report about a robbery
Die Staatsanwaltschaft führt Ermittlungen gegen den Unbekannten.
The public prosecutor's office is conducting investigations against the unknown person.
Discussing a crime show with a friend
In dieser Folge führen sie die Ermittlungen sehr schlampig.
In this episode, they are conducting the investigations very sloppily.
A serious company meeting regarding fraud
Wir müssen interne Ermittlungen führen, um den Fehler zu finden.
We must conduct internal investigations to find the error.
خلفية ثقافية
In Germany, 'Tatort' is a Sunday night ritual for millions. This phrase is a staple of the show, making legal terminology part of everyday vocabulary. It reflects the German preference for precise, functional language in official matters.
The CSI Effect
If you want to sound like a professional detective in a roleplay or while discussing a movie, use this phrase instead of 'suchen'.
Plural Only
In this context, 'Ermittlungen' is almost always plural. You are rarely conducting just one 'Ermittlung'.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for official, legal, or professional investigations.
- Common in news reports and police contexts.
- Combines the noun 'Ermittlungen' with the verb 'führen'.
What It Means
Ermittlungen führen is a high-level way to say someone is looking into something officially. Think of it as the German version of 'conducting an investigation.' It sounds professional and serious. You won't use this if you're just looking for your lost keys. You use it when the police are involved or when a company is doing a deep dive into a scandal. It implies a structured, legal, or official search for the truth.
How To Use It
Since führen is the verb, you need to conjugate it to match the subject. If the police are doing the work, you say: Die Polizei führt Ermittlungen. It often appears in the passive voice in news reports. You might hear: Es werden Ermittlungen geführt. This means 'investigations are being conducted.' It feels very 'CSI: Berlin.' You can also add adjectives like umfangreiche (extensive) to show how much work is being done. Just remember that Ermittlungen is always plural in this context.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you are talking about the law, crime, or serious corporate issues. It is perfect for discussing the news or a detective show. If you are at work and there is a serious breach of protocol, this phrase fits. It signals that you are taking the matter seriously. It’s the language of newspapers and official reports. You’ll sound very sophisticated using it in a B2-level discussion about social issues.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for trivial things. If your roommate ate your yogurt, don't say you are Ermittlungen führen. That would sound like you're calling the SWAT team over a snack. For casual 'looking into' something, use nachschauen or untersuchen. Also, avoid it in very relaxed settings unless you are being intentionally dramatic for a joke. It is too 'heavy' for a casual chat about where you left your phone.
Cultural Background
Germany is a country that deeply values 'Recht und Ordnung' (law and order). The process of Ermittlungen is strictly regulated by the Strafprozessordnung (code of criminal procedure). Germans love a good 'Tatort' (a famous long-running crime show). Because of this, almost every German is familiar with this legal jargon. It represents the methodical, step-by-step nature of the German legal system. It’s about being thorough and following the rules to the letter.
Common Variations
Ermittlungen einleiten: To initiate or start investigations. Use this when the news first breaks.Ermittlungen einstellen: To drop or stop investigations. Use this when there isn't enough evidence.Laufende Ermittlungen: Ongoing investigations. This is the classic 'no comment' phrase used by officials. It’s the perfect shield when you don't want to answer a nosey question!
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a fixed collocation (Nomen-Verb-Verbindung). It belongs to the formal register and is essential for anyone wanting to understand German news or legal proceedings.
The CSI Effect
If you want to sound like a professional detective in a roleplay or while discussing a movie, use this phrase instead of 'suchen'.
Plural Only
In this context, 'Ermittlungen' is almost always plural. You are rarely conducting just one 'Ermittlung'.
The 'No Comment' Trick
Germans often say 'Wegen laufender Ermittlungen können wir nichts sagen.' It's the ultimate polite way to avoid answering a difficult question.
أمثلة
6Die Staatsanwaltschaft führt Ermittlungen gegen den Unbekannten.
The public prosecutor's office is conducting investigations against the unknown person.
This is the most standard, formal use of the phrase.
In dieser Folge führen sie die Ermittlungen sehr schlampig.
In this episode, they are conducting the investigations very sloppily.
Even in casual conversation, the phrase remains grammatically formal.
Wir müssen interne Ermittlungen führen, um den Fehler zu finden.
We must conduct internal investigations to find the error.
Used here to show the gravity of a corporate situation.
Hier ist alles gesperrt, die Polizei führt wohl Ermittlungen.
Everything is blocked here; the police must be conducting investigations.
Speculating about a scene you are witnessing.
Wer hat meinen Keks gegessen? Ich werde Ermittlungen führen!
Who ate my cookie? I shall conduct investigations!
The formality makes the statement funny because it's overkill.
Trotz des Drucks führte er die Ermittlungen entschlossen weiter.
Despite the pressure, he resolutely continued the investigations.
Shows the persistence of a character.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct verb to complete the official phrase.
Die Polizei ___ seit Wochen Ermittlungen in diesem Fall.
In German, you 'lead' (führen) investigations, you don't 'make' (machen) them.
Which adjective fits best for a large-scale investigation?
Die Behörden führen ___ Ermittlungen.
'Umfangreiche' means extensive, which is a common collocation for investigations.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Scale of 'Ermittlungen führen'
Talking about missing socks
Ich gucke mal nach.
General inquiry
Ich untersuche das Problem.
Official police business
Ermittlungen führen
Where you will hear 'Ermittlungen führen'
TV News
Bericht über Korruption
Crime Novels
Der Kommissar bei der Arbeit
Legal Documents
Schreiben vom Anwalt
Corporate Ethics
Revision im Unternehmen
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, that would sound very strange. Use suchen or nachsehen for personal items.
Usually, yes, but insurance companies or tax offices can also Ermittlungen führen.
Untersuchen is a general verb for 'to examine,' while Ermittlungen führen is specifically for legal or criminal contexts.
It is grammatically okay but sounds very childish. Always use führen for a professional tone.
Yes, it is a staple of 'Blaulicht-Report' (police news) sections in German papers.
You would say Die Ermittlungen wurden abgeschlossen (The investigations were completed).
It means the investigation is directed 'against someone,' like Ermittlungen gegen den Chef.
Yes, it is standard High German and understood across all German-speaking countries.
Only if you are applying for a job in law enforcement or auditing!
No, it only implies that the process of finding out the truth is happening.
عبارات ذات صلة
Einen Fall lösen (To solve a case)
Beweise sammeln (To collect evidence)
Jemanden vernehmen (To interrogate someone)
Strafanzeige erstatten (To file a criminal complaint)
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