Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| fangen | /ˈfaŋən/ /ˈfaŋɛn/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
| einfangen | /ˈaɪ̯nˌfaŋən/ |
| ergreiffen | |
| gefangen nehmen | |
| aufbringen | /ˈaʊfˌbʁɪŋən/ |
The various German forms for capture depend on whether you are talking about trapping an animal, seizing an opportunity or arresting a person. The related noun Festnahme is used in legal or police contexts to refer to the act of arresting a suspect.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nuance of the capture: einfangen is used when the act involves trapping or encircling something like an animal or a person. Use ergreiffen when the capture implies a sudden, forceful or decisive seizure, such as seizing power or an opportunity. The phrase gefangen nehmen is used specifically when referring to taking a person or an enemy into custody or making them a prisoner.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb einfangen is a separable verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfaŋən/
Did you know?
- The English word 'fang' is a direct relative of the German verb fangen, sharing the same ancient Germanic root meaning 'to lay hold of'.
Examples in context
- Auf diese Weise fangen sie lebende Elefanten.This is the way they capture elephants alive.This sentence shows how to use fangen regarding catching animals alive.Tatoeba #2077715 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2076177 by CK
- Versuche nie, eine Ratte mit der Hand zu fangen.Never try to capture a rat by hand.This sentence uses fangen to describe an attempt to catch a rat by hand.Tatoeba #13505249 by Waldelfe, translation #9075022 by Amastan
- Das Fangen von Elefantenjungen ist nicht nur für die Muttertiere, sondern auch für die Kälber und die zurückbleibende Herde schrecklich grausam und traumatisch.The capture of baby elephants is horribly cruel and traumatic to both the mothers, their calves and the herds that are left behind.This sentence uses fangen to discuss the capture of baby elephants.Tatoeba #8125412 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8125202 by Hybrid
- Die Polizei hat den Bankräuber erfolgreich festgenommen.The police successfully arrested the bank robber.
- Die Armee konnte den Feind ergreifen und in Gewahrsam nehmen.The army managed to capture and detain the enemy.
- Sie haben endlich den entflohenen Häftling geschnappt.They finally captured the escaped convict.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are trying to catch a butterfly in the garden.
- JuliaSchau mal, ein Schmetterling!Look, a butterfly!
- JulianIch versuche, ihn mit dem Netz zu fangen.I will try to capture it with the net.
- JuliaSei vorsichtig, Julian!Be careful, Julian!
- JulianIch habe ihn endlich gefangen!I finally captured it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “capture” translations and entries fangen, einfangen, aufbringen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries einfangen, fangen, gefangen, nehmen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
