Abfangen
The English phrase interception is translated into German as Abfangen.
Abfangen refers to the act of intercepting something or the state of being intercepted.
Meaning: An act of intercepting something, the state of being intercepted. (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun is a nominalized form of the verb abfangen, which literally means to catch, intercept or stop something in its path.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because it is a nominalized verb, the noun is always neuter: das Abfangen.
Did you know?
- The word fang also appears in the English word 'fang' (as in a snake's tooth), because both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to seize'.
- The root verb fangen is shared with the English word 'catch', but in German it is also used in the common children's game Fangen, which is simply the word for 'tag'.
- While Abfangen means interception, if a German speaker wants to say they 'caught' a cold, they use the verb fangen in the phrase eine Erkältung einfangen.
Examples in context
- Ich fange den Ball ab.I intercept the ball.
- Er fing meinen Blick ab.He intercepted my gaze.
- Wir fangen die Informationen ab.We intercept the information.
- Die abgefangene Nachricht war äußerst wichtig.The intercepted message was extremely important.
- Das Abfangen der Nachricht war erfolgreich.The interception of the message was successful.
- Wir verhindern das Abfangen der Sendung.We are preventing the interception of the shipment.
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are discussing a sports game they watched.
- FelixHast du das Abfangen des Passes gesehen?Did you see the interception of the pass?
- JuliaJa, Julia fand das Spiel extrem spannend.Yes, Julia found the game extremely exciting.
- FelixDas Abfangen war der wichtigste Moment.The interception was the most important moment.
- JuliaIch stimme dir voll und ganz zu, Felix.I completely agree with you, Felix.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abfangen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
