verfolgt
The English word haunted is translated into German as verfolgt. Wiktionary also lists Spuk-.
Meaning: frequented by a ghost (adj)
Ways to say it
| German |
|---|
| verfolgt |
| Spuk- |
In German, verfolgt is the standard way to express being haunted by a person's past or a persistent thought.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between metaphorical and literal hauntings. Use verfolgt when someone is haunted by abstract concepts like guilt, memories or questions. For literal hauntings involving ghosts, you should use the prefix Spuk- or the noun Spuk, such as in the word Spukhaus (haunted house).
Did you know?
- In German, the same word verfolgt is used to describe both someone haunted by a memory and someone being persecuted by a political regime.
- The term verfolgt evokes the physical image of a ghost or a thought actually following in your footsteps, like a tracker on a trail.
- The verb spuken focuses on the active noise or movement caused by a ghost, rather than the static state of a location being haunted.
Examples in context
- Tom wird von seiner Vergangenheit verfolgt.Tom is haunted by his past.This sentence shows how to use verfolgt when referring to being haunted by one's past.Tatoeba #5949416 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5586151 by Hybrid
- Die Frage verfolgt mich schon seit vielen Jahren.That question has haunted me for many years.This sentence demonstrates using verfolgt for a question that has haunted someone for a long time.Tatoeba #12603192 by Waldelfe, translation #8009325 by CK
- Das alte Schloss hat eine geisterhafte Atmosphäre.The old castle has a ghostly atmosphere.
- Dieses Haus ist spukhaft.This house is haunted.
- Der Wald bei Nacht sieht gespenstisch aus.The forest at night looks haunted.
- Das Spukschloss ist bekannt für seine gruseligen Geschichten.The haunted castle is known for its creepy stories.
- Das alte verlassene Haus ist ein echtes Gespensterhaus.The old abandoned house is a real haunted house.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are standing in front of an old house.
- LukasGlaubst du, dass dieses Haus verfolgt ist?Do you think that this house is haunted?
- LauraJa, ich habe gehört, dass dort Geister wohnen.Yes, I heard that ghosts live there.
- LukasIch traue mich nicht hinein, Laura.I don't dare to go inside, Laura.
- LauraKomm schon, Lukas, es ist nur ein Haus.Come on, Lukas, it is just a house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “haunted” translations and entries verfolgt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
