هذه الصفحة بلغتك

English

فارسی

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #1,200 الأكثر شيوعاً 10 دقيقة للقراءة

die Polizei

الأكثر شيوعاً #1,200

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح die Polizei في 30 ثانية

الشرح die Polizei in your Level:

At the A1 level, you need to know 'die Polizei' as a basic survival word. You should be able to recognize it on signs and vehicles. You must know that the emergency number is 110. At this stage, focus on the phrase 'Ich rufe die Polizei' (I am calling the police). You should also know that it is a feminine noun ('die'). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just remember that if you see a police car, you say 'Da ist die Polizei'. It is one of the first nouns you learn because it is essential for safety. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'der Krankenwagen' (the ambulance). At A1, you use the word in very simple sentences to describe what you see or what you need in an emergency. You might also learn the word 'Polizist' to describe the person.

At the A2 level, you start using 'die Polizei' in more varied contexts, such as reporting a lost item or a minor accident. You should be comfortable with the Accusative case ('Ich brauche die Polizei') and the Dative case ('Ich helfe der Polizei'). You will learn related words like 'der Ausweis' (ID card) because the police might ask for it: 'Die Polizei kontrolliert den Ausweis'. You should also be able to understand simple directions or instructions from an officer, like 'Halt!' or 'Ihren Führerschein, bitte'. You begin to see the word in compound forms like 'Polizeistation'. Your sentences become slightly more complex, perhaps using conjunctions: 'Ich rufe die Polizei, weil mein Fahrrad weg ist'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you can describe events involving the police in more detail. You can talk about a 'Polizeikontrolle' (police check) you experienced or a crime you saw on the news. You understand the difference between 'die Polizei' (the institution) and 'der Polizist' (the individual) and use them correctly. You can use the passive voice: 'Der Dieb wurde von der Polizei festgenommen'. You also start to learn about the different types of police in Germany, like the 'Wasserschutzpolizei' (water police) or 'Verkehrspolizei'. You can express opinions about public safety and the role of the police in society using more nuanced vocabulary. You understand 'Polizeiberichte' in local newspapers and can summarize the main points.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you can follow complex discussions about the police in the media. You understand terms like 'Polizeigewalt' (police violence), 'Ermittlungsverfahren' (investigatory proceedings), and 'Tatort' (crime scene). You can discuss the legal powers of the police and the rights of citizens. You are comfortable using the genitive case: 'Die Befugnisse der Polizei sind gesetzlich geregelt'. You can also use more sophisticated verbs like 'verständigen', 'einschalten', or 'alarmieren'. You understand the cultural significance of the police in German literature and film. Your ability to use the word in abstract contexts, such as 'Gedankenpolizei' (thought police), also develops at this stage.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the institutional structure of the German police. You can distinguish between the 'Landespolizei' and 'Bundespolizei' and discuss the 'Föderalismus' (federalism) that governs them. You can read complex legal texts or academic articles about police reform and criminal justice. You use the word 'Polizei' in idiomatic and highly formal contexts. You can debate the ethics of police surveillance and the use of technology in law enforcement. Your vocabulary includes highly specific terms like 'Hundertschaft' (police unit) or 'Spezialeinsatzkommando' (SEK - SWAT team). You can write detailed reports or essays about the history of the police in Germany, from the Weimar Republic to the present day.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you use 'die Polizei' with the fluency of a native speaker, including all its metaphorical and historical nuances. You can analyze the linguistic evolution of the word and its role in political discourse. You understand subtle connotations in different registers, from the slang used in 'Kiez' (neighborhood) culture to the highly technical language of the 'Grundgesetz' (Basic Law). You can interpret and critique police statistics and sociological studies on law enforcement. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and cultural references involving the police. Your mastery of the word is complete, allowing you to use it in any context, whether it's a high-level legal argument, a literary analysis, or a casual joke.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

die Polizei في 30 ثانية

Die Polizei is a feminine singular noun in German, meaning the police force or institution.
Unlike English, it takes a singular verb (e.g., 'Die Polizei ist...'), which is a common point of confusion.
To refer to an individual officer, use 'der Polizist' or 'die Polizistin' instead of the collective noun.
The emergency number for the police in Germany is 110, distinct from the medical 112.

The German word die Polizei refers to the institutional body of law enforcement officers responsible for maintaining public order, safety, and enforcing the law. Unlike in English, where 'the police' is often treated as a plural collective noun (e.g., 'the police are coming'), the German word is strictly feminine singular. This is a crucial distinction for English speakers to master early on. When you speak about the institution as a whole, you use the singular verb form. The term encompasses everything from the local traffic patrol to the federal investigative units. In Germany, the police are organized primarily at the state level (Landespolizei), though there is also the federal police (Bundespolizei) which handles border security and railway safety. People use this word in emergencies, when reporting a crime, or when discussing civic duties and legal regulations. Historically, the German police were known for their green uniforms and green-and-white cars, but over the last two decades, they have transitioned to blue uniforms and blue-and-silver vehicles to align with European standards.

Grammatical Gender: Feminine (die), which dictates the endings of accompanying adjectives and the form of the verb.
Collective Usage: It refers to the organization. To refer to an individual, you must use 'der Polizist' (male) or 'die Polizistin' (female).

Wenn es einen Unfall gibt, rufen wir sofort die Polizei.

In daily life, you might hear the word in the context of 'Polizeikontrolle' (police check) or 'Polizeirevier' (police station). The German public generally views the police through the lens of the traditional slogan 'Die Polizei - dein Freund und Helfer' (The police - your friend and helper), a phrase that originated in the 1920s. While modern attitudes vary, the linguistic usage remains formal and respectful. In urban areas, you will frequently see the 'Streifenwagen' (patrol car) cruising through the streets. If you need to call them in an emergency, the number is 110. This is distinct from the medical emergency number 112. Using the word correctly involves understanding that it is a non-count noun in most contexts; you don't usually say 'zwei Polizeien' unless you are referring to two different police forces (like the German and the French police). Instead, you count the officers: 'zwei Polizisten'. This distinction is vital for achieving fluency and avoiding the 'English-thinking' trap where learners try to pluralize the institution itself. Furthermore, the word appears in many compound nouns, such as 'Polizeipräsidium' (police headquarters) or 'Polizeibericht' (police report), showing its central role in administrative and legal German. Understanding 'die Polizei' is not just about learning a noun; it is about understanding the structure of German civil society and the linguistic rules that govern collective entities.

Using die Polizei correctly requires a firm grasp of German cases. Since it is a feminine noun, it follows the 'die-der-der-die' pattern for the definite article across Nominative, Genitive, Dative, and Accusative. For example, in the Nominative case: 'Die Polizei hilft den Bürgern' (The police help the citizens). In the Accusative case, which is used for direct objects: 'Ich rufe die Polizei' (I am calling the police). Note that the article 'die' remains the same in both Nominative and Accusative for feminine nouns. However, in the Dative case, it changes: 'Ich gebe der Polizei einen Hinweis' (I am giving the police a tip). This change to 'der' often confuses beginners who mistake it for a masculine nominative article.

Accusative Usage: Used when the police are the object of an action, like calling or searching for them.
Dative Usage: Used after certain prepositions like 'bei' (at/with) or when the police are the indirect object.

Der Zeuge hat der Polizei alles erzählt.

When constructing sentences, it is also important to know common verb pairings. 'Die Polizei einschalten' means to involve the police. 'Die Polizei verständigen' is a more formal way of saying to notify the police. In passive constructions, you might say 'Der Dieb wurde von der Polizei gefasst' (The thief was caught by the police), where 'von der' shows the agent in the dative case. If you are describing a scene, you might say 'Überall war Polizei' (Police were everywhere), where the article is sometimes omitted in colloquial speech to describe a general presence. However, in standard written German, the article is almost always required. Another common structure involves the genitive case to show possession or association: 'Die Arbeit der Polizei ist gefährlich' (The work of the police is dangerous). Here, 'der' is the genitive feminine article. For English speakers, the most common error is saying 'Die Polizei sind...', which sounds as wrong to a German ear as saying 'The team are...' sounds to some American English speakers, but even more grammatically incorrect because 'Polizei' is never plural in this sense. To talk about multiple police forces, one would use 'die Polizeikräfte' (the police forces) or 'die Polizeibehörden' (the police authorities). Mastering these sentence patterns ensures that you can communicate effectively in high-stress situations where the word is most likely to be used.

You will encounter die Polizei in a variety of settings, ranging from high-stakes news broadcasts to everyday conversations and popular culture. One of the most common places to hear the word is on the news (die Nachrichten). News anchors frequently report on 'Polizeieinsätze' (police operations) or 'Polizeimeldungen' (police reports). For example, 'Die Polizei bittet um Mithilfe' (The police ask for assistance) is a standard phrase used when seeking witnesses for a crime. In the realm of entertainment, the German obsession with 'Krimis' (crime dramas) cannot be overstated. The long-running TV series 'Tatort' is a cultural institution where the word 'Polizei' and its various branches (like the Kripo - Kriminalpolizei) are mentioned constantly. Listening to these shows is an excellent way to hear the word used in natural, albeit dramatic, contexts.

In the Streets: You will see the word written in large capital letters on the side of patrol cars and on the backs of uniforms.
Public Announcements: At large events like football matches or demonstrations, the police often use loudspeakers to address the crowd.

Achtung, hier spricht die Polizei! Bitte verlassen Sie den Bereich.

In daily life, you might hear someone say 'Ich muss zur Polizei' (I have to go to the police station), perhaps to report a lost passport or a stolen bicycle. In traffic, if you are pulled over, the officer will introduce themselves: 'Guten Tag, Verkehrspolizei...' (Good day, traffic police...). You will also see the word in newspapers, particularly in the 'Blaulicht-Report' (blue light report) section, which summarizes local crimes and accidents. The word is also used in political discussions regarding 'Polizeigewalt' (police violence) or 'Polizeipräsenz' (police presence). In school, children learn about the 'Verkehrspolizist' who teaches them how to cross the street safely. Thus, the word permeates German life from the administrative level to the most casual social interactions. Even in slang, though there are other words like 'Bullen' (cops - somewhat derogatory), 'die Polizei' remains the standard, neutral term used by the vast majority of the population. Whether you are reading a legal document, watching a thriller, or just walking through a German city, 'die Polizei' is a word that you will see and hear almost every day, making its correct usage essential for any learner.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with die Polizei is treating it as a plural noun. In English, we say 'The police are investigating,' but in German, you must say 'Die Polizei ermittelt' (singular). This error stems from the conceptual difference between the two languages: English views 'police' as a group of individuals, while German views 'Polizei' as a singular administrative entity. Another common error is using 'Polizei' when you actually mean 'Polizist' (police officer). If you want to say 'A policeman stopped me,' you cannot say 'Eine Polizei hat mich angehalten.' You must say 'Ein Polizist hat mich angehalten.' 'Polizei' refers to the whole organization, not the individual person.

Pluralization Error: Avoid: 'Die Polizei kommen'. Correct: 'Die Polizei kommt'.
Individual vs. Institution: Avoid: 'Ich habe mit einer Polizei gesprochen'. Correct: 'Ich habe mit einem Polizisten gesprochen'.

Falsch: Die Polizei sind hier. Richtig: Die Polizei ist hier.

Gender confusion is another pitfall. Because 'Polizei' ends in '-ei', it is always feminine. Learners sometimes forget this and use 'der' or 'das'. Furthermore, when using the word in the dative case, learners often get confused by 'der Polizei'. They think they have made a mistake and used the masculine nominative, but 'der' is actually the correct dative feminine article. Another mistake is the misuse of the emergency numbers. Calling 112 for a non-medical police matter is incorrect in Germany; 110 is the dedicated police line. Lastly, learners often struggle with compound words. German loves combining 'Polizei' with other nouns. Instead of saying 'Bericht von der Polizei', you should use the more natural 'Polizeibericht'. Avoiding these common mistakes will make your German sound much more natural and precise. Remember: singular verb, feminine gender, institution vs. individual, and use the correct case endings.

While die Polizei is the standard term, there are several related words and alternatives depending on the context. If you are referring to the criminal investigation department specifically, you use 'die Kripo' (short for Kriminalpolizei). For traffic-related issues, 'die Verkehrspolizei' is the specific term. In some German states, you might encounter the 'Ordnungsamt', which is not the police but a municipal authority that handles minor infractions like parking tickets or noise complaints. It is important not to call the 'Ordnungsamt' the 'Polizei', as they have different powers and responsibilities.

Die Kripo: The branch that investigates serious crimes like murder or robbery, often working in plain clothes.
Die Gendarmerie: An older term, still used in Austria, but largely replaced by 'Polizei' in Germany.

Die Kriminalpolizei hat die Ermittlungen übernommen.

Another term is 'die Bundespolizei', which is the federal police force. They are responsible for borders, airports, and train stations. If you see officers at a train station, they are likely 'Bundespolizei', not the local 'Landespolizei'. There is also 'die Bereitschaftspolizei', which are the riot police or support units used for large events. In terms of individuals, remember 'der Polizist' (male), 'die Polizistin' (female), and 'die Polizeibeamten' (the police officers - formal/plural). In a legal context, you might hear 'die Strafverfolgungsbehörden' (law enforcement agencies), which is a broader term including the public prosecutor's office. Understanding these nuances helps you navigate German society more effectively. For instance, if you have a noise complaint about a neighbor, you might call the 'Ordnungsamt' during the day, but 'die Polizei' at night. Knowing which 'Polizei' or related authority to reference shows a high level of cultural and linguistic competence.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

In the 15th and 16th centuries, 'Polizei' referred to the entire internal administration and 'good order' of a community, including things like hygiene and market regulations.

دليل النطق

UK /po.li.ˈt͡saɪ̯/

US /po.li.ˈt͡saɪ̯/

The stress is on the third syllable: po-li-ZEI.

يتقافى مع

Bäckerei Metzgerei Einerlei Frei Drei Partei Bücherei Zauberei

أخطاء شائعة

Stressing the first syllable (PO-li-zei).
Pronouncing the 'z' like an English 'z' instead of 'ts'.
Making the 'o' too long like in 'pole'.
Pronouncing the 'ei' like 'ee' instead of 'ai'.
Swallowing the middle 'li' syllable.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like 'police'.

الكتابة 2/5

The '-ei' ending and singular verb agreement require attention.

التحدث 2/5

The 'ts' sound in the last syllable can be tricky for beginners.

الاستماع 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

der die das helfen rufen

تعلّم لاحقاً

der Polizist das Gesetz das Verbrechen die Sicherheit der Ausweis

متقدم

die Strafverfolgungsbehörde die Gewaltenteilung das Ermittlungsverfahren die Deeskalation die Kriminalprävention

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Nouns ending in -ei are always feminine.

die Polizei, die Bäckerei, die Bücherei.

Collective nouns in German take a singular verb.

Die Polizei ist (not sind) da.

Dative feminine article is 'der'.

Ich helfe der Polizei.

Compound nouns take the gender of the last word.

Das Polizeiauto (das Auto).

Accusative feminine article is 'die'.

Ich sehe die Polizei.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Wo ist die Polizei?

Where is the police?

Simple question with 'ist' (singular).

Ich rufe die Polizei.

I am calling the police.

Accusative case (die Polizei).

Die Polizei ist hier.

The police are here.

Note the singular verb 'ist'.

Hilfe, Polizei!

Help, police!

Exclamatory use.

Das ist die Polizei.

That is the police.

Demonstrative sentence.

Die Polizei hilft.

The police help.

Subject-verb agreement (singular).

Rufen Sie die Polizei!

Call the police!

Imperative form with 'Sie'.

Die Polizei kommt schnell.

The police are coming quickly.

Adverb 'schnell' modifying the verb.

Ich muss zur Polizei gehen.

I have to go to the police.

Preposition 'zu' + dative (zu + der = zur).

Die Polizei sucht das Fahrrad.

The police are looking for the bicycle.

Transitive verb 'suchen'.

Haben Sie die Polizei gesehen?

Have you seen the police?

Perfect tense with 'haben'.

Die Polizei fragt nach dem Namen.

The police ask for the name.

Prepositional object 'nach dem Namen'.

Bei der Polizei arbeiten viele Menschen.

Many people work at the police.

Dative case after 'bei'.

Die Polizei kontrolliert die Autos.

The police are checking the cars.

Plural object 'die Autos'.

Ich habe der Polizei den Weg gezeigt.

I showed the police the way.

Dative indirect object (der Polizei).

Die Polizei hat den Dieb gefangen.

The police caught the thief.

Perfect tense of 'fangen'.

Die Polizei sperrt die Straße wegen eines Unfalls.

The police are blocking the road because of an accident.

Genitive preposition 'wegen'.

Man sollte die Polizei sofort informieren.

One should inform the police immediately.

Modal verb 'sollte'.

Die Polizei bittet Zeugen um Hinweise.

The police ask witnesses for information.

Verb 'bitten' + um + accusative.

Trotz der Polizei gab es Proteste.

Despite the police, there were protests.

Genitive case after 'trotz'.

Die Polizei untersuchte den Tatort gründlich.

The police investigated the crime scene thoroughly.

Präteritum (past tense).

Er wurde von der Polizei angehalten.

He was stopped by the police.

Passive voice with 'von' + dative.

Die Polizei warnt vor Taschendieben.

The police warn about pickpockets.

Verb 'warnen' + vor + dative.

Die Polizei hat die Demonstration begleitet.

The police accompanied the demonstration.

Perfect tense of 'begleiten'.

Die Polizei muss die Verhältnismäßigkeit wahren.

The police must maintain proportionality.

Abstract noun 'Verhältnismäßigkeit'.

Die Polizei griff hart gegen die Randalierer durch.

The police took tough action against the rioters.

Separable verb 'durchgreifen'.

Es gab Kritik an der Arbeit der Polizei.

There was criticism of the work of the police.

Genitive 'der Polizei'.

Die Polizei hat die Ermittlungen aufgenommen.

The police have started the investigation.

Idiomatic 'Ermittlungen aufnehmen'.

Die Polizei ist für die öffentliche Sicherheit zuständig.

The police are responsible for public safety.

Adjective 'zuständig' + für.

Ohne die Polizei gäbe es Chaos.

Without the police, there would be chaos.

Konjunktiv II (conditional).

Die Polizei setzt modernste Technik ein.

The police use the latest technology.

Separable verb 'einsetzen'.

Die Polizei konnte den Täter identifizieren.

The police were able to identify the perpetrator.

Modal verb 'konnte' in past tense.

Die Polizei untersteht dem Innenministerium.

The police are subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior.

Verb 'unterstehen' + dative.

Die Polizei agierte in dieser Situation deeskalierend.

The police acted in a de-escalating manner in this situation.

Adverbial use of 'deeskalierend'.

Die Polizei hat die Beweismittel sichergestellt.

The police secured the evidence.

Technical term 'sicherstellen'.

Das Vertrauen in die Polizei ist in Deutschland hoch.

Trust in the police is high in Germany.

Noun-preposition combination 'Vertrauen in'.

Die Polizei muss bei Gefahr im Verzug sofort handeln.

The police must act immediately in case of imminent danger.

Legal phrase 'Gefahr im Verzug'.

Die Polizei führt eine Razzia im kriminellen Milieu durch.

The police are conducting a raid in the criminal milieu.

Noun 'Razzia'.

Die Polizei ist zur Neutralität verpflichtet.

The police are committed to neutrality.

Passive-like construction 'verpflichtet sein'.

Die Polizei kooperiert eng mit internationalen Behörden.

The police cooperate closely with international authorities.

Verb 'kooperieren'.

Die Polizei fungiert als Exekutivorgan des Staates.

The police function as the executive organ of the state.

Academic term 'Exekutivorgan'.

Die Polizei sah sich massiven Vorwürfen ausgesetzt.

The police found themselves exposed to massive accusations.

Reflexive 'sich ausgesetzt sehen'.

Die Polizei muss den Spagat zwischen Freiheit und Sicherheit meistern.

The police must master the balancing act between freedom and security.

Metaphorical 'Spagat'.

Die Polizei ist ein Spiegelbild der gesellschaftlichen Verhältnisse.

The police are a reflection of social conditions.

Philosophical observation.

Die Polizei intervenierte, um eine Eskalation zu verhindern.

The police intervened to prevent an escalation.

Formal verb 'intervenieren'.

Die Polizei ist in das föderale System eingebettet.

The police are embedded in the federal system.

Participle 'eingebettet'.

Die Polizei genießt ein hohes Maß an institutioneller Autonomie.

The police enjoy a high degree of institutional autonomy.

Collocation 'Maß an Autonomie'.

Die Polizei unterliegt strengen rechtsstaatlichen Kontrollen.

The police are subject to strict rule-of-law controls.

Verb 'unterliegen' + dative.

تلازمات شائعة

die Polizei rufen

die Polizei verständigen

die Polizei einschalten

bei der Polizei

Polizei rufen

Polizei informieren

Polizei ermittelt

Polizei sucht

Polizei warnt

Polizei greift ein

العبارات الشائعة

Halt, Polizei!

— Stop, police! Used when an officer is chasing or stopping someone.

Halt, Polizei! Bleiben Sie stehen!

Polizei, öffnen Sie die Tür!

— Police, open the door! Standard command during a search or visit.

Polizei, öffnen Sie die Tür! Wir haben einen Durchsuchungsbeschluss.

Zur Polizei gehen

— To go to the police station to report something.

Ich muss zur Polizei gehen und den Diebstahl melden.

Polizei rufen

— To call the police on the phone.

Wenn Sie Hilfe brauchen, rufen Sie die Polizei.

Bekannt bei der Polizei

— Known to the police (usually referring to a criminal record).

Der Verdächtige ist bereits bei der Polizei bekannt.

Polizei-Einsatz

— Police operation or deployment.

Wegen der Bombenentschärfung gab es einen großen Polizei-Einsatz.

Polizei-Kontrolle

— Police check or traffic stop.

Ich kam in eine Polizei-Kontrolle und musste pusten.

Polizei-Bericht

— Police report.

Haben Sie den Polizei-Bericht in der Zeitung gelesen?

Polizei-Revier

— Police station or precinct.

Das nächste Polizei-Revier ist zwei Straßen weiter.

Polizei-Gewalt

— Police violence or brutality.

Es gab eine Debatte über Polizei-Gewalt bei der Demo.

يُخلط عادةً مع

die Polizei vs der Polizist

Learners use 'die Polizei' when they mean a single officer.

die Polizei vs die Politik

The words sound similar to beginners, but 'Politik' is politics.

die Polizei vs das Ordnungsamt

People often call the city office 'police', but they are different authorities.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Dein Freund und Helfer"

— Your friend and helper. A traditional slogan for the police.

Die Polizei, dein Freund und Helfer, hat mir heute geholfen.

Neutral/Slightly ironic

"Schnittlauch"

— Chives. A slang term for police because they are green on the outside (old uniforms) and hollow on the inside (insult).

Pass auf, da vorne steht der Schnittlauch.

Slang/Insulting

"Die Trachtengruppe"

— The costume group. A humorous/ironic way to refer to the police in uniform.

Die Trachtengruppe ist heute wieder zahlreich unterwegs.

Informal/Humorous

"Weiße Mäuse"

— White mice. An old term for traffic police who wore white uniforms.

Früher nannte man die Verkehrspolizisten 'weiße Mäuse'.

Archaic

"Grün-Weiß Partybus"

— Green-white party bus. A slang term for a police van (from the old colors).

Da kommt der grün-weiße Partybus.

Slang/Ironic

"Bullenhitze"

— Extreme heat. While not directly about police, 'Bulle' is slang for cop, and this means 'cop heat'.

Heute ist wieder eine Bullenhitze!

Informal

"Einen Bullen fressen"

— To be very angry (literally: to eat a cop).

Er hat heute einen Bullen gefressen, so sauer ist er.

Informal

"Polizei spielen"

— To act like a policeman (often used for people who are bossy).

Hör auf, hier Polizei zu spielen!

Informal

"Gedankenpolizei"

— Thought police (from Orwell's 1984).

Wir wollen hier keine Gedankenpolizei.

Literary/Political

"Die Rennleitung"

— The race management. Slang for traffic police on the highway.

Die Rennleitung hat mich mit 140 km/h geblitzt.

Slang/Humorous

سهل الخلط

die Polizei vs Polizist

Both refer to law enforcement.

Polizei is the organization (singular); Polizist is the individual person.

Die Polizei (organization) ist da, und ein Polizist (person) spricht mit mir.

die Polizei vs Politik

Similar prefix 'Poli-'.

Politik is politics/policy; Polizei is the police force.

Die Politik macht die Gesetze, die Polizei setzt sie durch.

die Polizei vs Polizeiwache

Both refer to the police.

Polizei is the force; Polizeiwache is the physical building (station).

Ich gehe zur Polizei (the force) in die Polizeiwache (the building).

die Polizei vs Bullen

Both mean police.

Bullen is slang/derogatory; Polizei is neutral/official.

Sag niemals 'Bullen' direkt zu einem Polizisten!

die Polizei vs Gendarmerie

Old term for police.

Used in Austria; in Germany, it is almost always 'Polizei'.

In Wien sieht man oft die Gendarmerie.

أنماط الجُمل

Die Polizei ist + Adjektiv.

Die Polizei ist schnell.

Ich + Verb + die Polizei.

Ich rufe die Polizei.

Die Polizei + Verb + wegen + Genitiv.

Die Polizei kommt wegen des Unfalls.

Es wird + von der Polizei + Partizip II.

Es wird von der Polizei untersucht.

Die Polizei + unterliegt + Dativ.

Die Polizei unterliegt dem Gesetz.

In Anbetracht der Polizei + Verb...

In Anbetracht der Polizei verhielten sie sich ruhig.

Wo ist die Polizei?

Die Polizei bittet um + Akkusativ.

Die Polizei bittet um Hilfe.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

der Polizist

die Polizistin

das Polizeirevier

der Polizeiwagen

die Polizeibehörde

das Polizeipräsidium

الأفعال

polizeilich (adjective/adverbial use)

polizeien (not a word, but 'polizeilich verfolgen' is used)

الصفات

polizeilich

polizeiwidrig

مرتبط

das Gesetz

die Ordnung

die Sicherheit

die Ermittlung

die Festnahme

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely common in daily life and media.

أخطاء شائعة

Die Polizei sind hier. → Die Polizei ist hier.
In German, 'Polizei' is a singular noun, unlike the collective plural in English.
Ich habe eine Polizei gesehen. → Ich habe einen Polizisten gesehen.
You see an officer (Polizist), not the entire institution (Polizei).
Rufen Sie der Polizei! → Rufen Sie die Polizei!
The verb 'rufen' takes the accusative case, and the accusative of 'die' is 'die'.
Ich arbeite in die Polizei. → Ich arbeite bei der Polizei.
The correct preposition for working at an organization is 'bei' + dative.
Die Polizei hat ihre Arbeit gemacht. → Die Polizei hat ihre Arbeit gemacht.
Wait, this is correct. A mistake would be 'seine Arbeit' because Polizei is feminine.

نصائح

Singular Agreement

Always treat 'die Polizei' as a single unit. Use 'ist', 'hat', and 'macht', not 'sind', 'haben', or 'machen'.

Emergency Numbers

Memorize 110. It is the first thing children learn. 112 is for fire and ambulance.

Institution vs. Person

Use 'Polizei' for the force and 'Polizist' for the person. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

The 'TS' Sound

Make sure the 'z' in 'Polizei' sounds like 'ts' in 'cats'. It's a sharp, clean sound.

Compounds

German loves compounds. If something belongs to the police, try adding 'Polizei-' to the front of the word.

Formality

Always use 'Sie' with police officers. Using 'du' can be considered a legal insult in some cases.

Sirens

In Germany, the police siren has a specific 'Tatütata' sound. If you hear it, the 'Polizei' is coming.

Newspapers

Look for the 'Blaulicht' section in local news to see the word 'Polizei' used in many real-world contexts.

The -ei Rule

Words ending in -ei are feminine. This helps you remember it's 'die Polizei'.

Omission of Article

In quick speech or headlines, you might hear 'Polizei sucht Zeugen' without the 'die'. This is common.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'POLIcy' for the 'Z' (city). The POLI-ZEI enforces the policy of the city.

ربط بصري

Imagine a blue police car with the word POLIZEI written in big white letters, and remember the 'ei' sounds like 'eye'—the police have their eyes on everything.

Word Web

110 Blaulicht Uniform Polizist Revier Streife Handschellen Gesetz

تحدٍّ

Try to spot the word 'Polizei' in a German news clip and note whether the verb following it is singular or plural (it should always be singular!).

أصل الكلمة

The word 'Polizei' comes from the Middle High German 'policī', which was borrowed from the Latin 'politia'. This, in turn, comes from the Ancient Greek 'politeia' (πολιτεία).

المعنى الأصلي: In Greek, it meant 'citizenship', 'administration of the city', or 'government'. It didn't originally refer to a police force in the modern sense.

Indo-European (via Latin and Greek).

السياق الثقافي

Be aware that in certain political circles, the police can be a polarizing topic, but 'die Polizei' remains the neutral, official term.

English speakers often struggle with the singular 'is' for police. In the UK/US, 'the police are' is standard, but in Germany, 'the police is' is the only way.

Tatort (TV series) Polizeiruf 110 (TV series) Die Polizei - dein Freund und Helfer (Slogan)

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Emergency

Rufen Sie die Polizei!
Ich brauche die Polizei.
Wo ist die nächste Polizeiwache?
Hilfe, Polizei!

Traffic

Eine Polizeikontrolle.
Die Polizei hat mich angehalten.
Papiere bitte, Polizei.
Ich muss der Polizei meinen Führerschein zeigen.

Reporting a crime

Ich möchte eine Anzeige bei der Polizei machen.
Die Polizei hat den Diebstahl aufgenommen.
Ich habe der Polizei eine Aussage gegeben.
Die Polizei sucht nach Zeugen.

News/Media

Die Polizei ermittelt.
Laut Polizeibericht...
Ein Sprecher der Polizei sagte...
Die Polizei warnt vor Betrügern.

General Conversation

Er arbeitet bei der Polizei.
Die Polizei ist heute überall.
Ich habe Respekt vor der Polizei.
Die Polizei war sehr freundlich.

بدايات محادثة

"Hast du schon mal die Polizei rufen müssen?"

"Was hältst du von der Polizeipräsenz in dieser Stadt?"

"Glaubst du, dass die Polizei genug für unsere Sicherheit tut?"

"Hast du schon mal eine Polizeikontrolle erlebt?"

"Würdest du gerne bei der Polizei arbeiten?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der die Polizei dir geholfen hat oder in der du sie gesehen hast.

Was sind die wichtigsten Aufgaben der Polizei in einer Demokratie?

Wie unterscheidet sich die Polizei in deinem Heimatland von der Polizei in Deutschland?

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Polizist für einen Tag. Was würdest du tun?

Warum ist das Vertrauen in die Polizei für eine Gesellschaft wichtig?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

In German, 'die Polizei' is always singular. You say 'Die Polizei ist hier' (The police is here), never 'sind'.

You say 'ein Polizist' (male) or 'eine Polizistin' (female).

The number is 110. For medical emergencies, it is 112.

Yes, it is a feminine noun. The article is 'die' in the nominative and 'der' in the dative.

Only if you are talking about two different police organizations (e.g., the German and French police). To count officers, say 'zwei Polizisten'.

It means 'Police, your friend and helper'. It's a traditional slogan emphasizing their service to the public.

It is slang and can be considered an insult (Beleidigung) if said directly to an officer, which can lead to a fine.

They are currently blue and silver (or blue and white). They used to be green and white.

It stands for 'Kriminalpolizei', the branch responsible for investigating serious crimes.

Always use 'Sie' and address them as 'Herr Wachtmeister' (old-fashioned) or simply 'Herr/Frau Polizist/in' or 'Herr/Frau [Name]'.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات