jagen
/ˈjaːɡən/
To chase in German is jagen. Wiktionary also lists verfolgen.
Meaning: to pursue, to follow at speed (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| jagen | /ˈjaːɡən/ |
| verfolgen | /fɛɐ̯ˈfɔlɡŋ̩/ /fɛɐ̯ˈfɔlɡən/ |
The verb used for chasing can mean to pursue or to follow at speed.
Which one should you use?
jagen is used when the chase involves a predatory intent or the goal of catching/killing something, like an animal or a game. The noun Jagd refers to the act of hunting or a specific chase, whereas Verfolgung refers to the process of pursuit or tracking.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈjaːɡən/
Did you know?
- The word verfolgen is a calque, meaning it was modeled directly after the structure of the Latin word 'persequor' or its descendants.
- The term Jagdfieber describes the 'hunting fever' or intense excitement one feels during a chase, a feeling that can be applied to sports or business rivals.
- While jagen implies a pursuit to catch something, the word hetzen describes a much more frantic, panicked type of chasing or driving someone into a frenzy.
Examples in context
- Warum jagen Hunde Eichhörnchen?Why do dogs chase squirrels?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use jagen with the subject 'Hunde'.Tatoeba #8836522 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7697552 by Hybrid
- Warum jagen Eichhörnchen einander?Why do squirrels chase each other?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use jagen when squirrels chase each other.Tatoeba #8821124 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5951279 by Hybrid
- Die Katze liebt es, Mäuse zu jagen.The cat loves to chase mice.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use jagen in the context of a cat chasing mice.Tatoeba #3978129 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3976950 by Hybrid
- Die Polizei verfolgte den Verdächtigen durch die Straßen der Stadt.The police chased the suspect through the city streets.
- Die Kinder jagten den Ball über den Spielplatz.The children chased the ball across the playground.
- Das kleine Mädchen rannte ihrem Hund hinterher.The little girl chased after her dog.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are watching a nature documentary on television.
- HannahSchau mal, die Wölfe jagen ein Reh.Look, the wolves are chasing a deer.
- LukasDas sieht sehr schnell aus.That looks very fast.
- HannahJa, sie jagen es durch das Gebüsch.Yes, they are chasing it through the bushes.
- LukasHannah, das ist wirklich spannend zu beobachten.Hannah, that is really exciting to watch.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chase” translations and entries jagen, verfolgen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jagen, verfolgen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
