Em 15 segundos
- Used for official, legal, or professional investigations.
- Common in news reports and police contexts.
- Combines the noun 'Ermittlungen' with the verb 'führen'.
Significado
This phrase describes the official process of investigating a crime or a serious incident. It is what the police, prosecutors, or authorities do when they are trying to solve a mystery or find a culprit.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Reading a news report about a robbery
Die Staatsanwaltschaft führt Ermittlungen gegen den Unbekannten.
The public prosecutor's office is conducting investigations against the unknown person.
Discussing a crime show with a friend
In dieser Folge führen sie die Ermittlungen sehr schlampig.
In this episode, they are conducting the investigations very sloppily.
A serious company meeting regarding fraud
Wir müssen interne Ermittlungen führen, um den Fehler zu finden.
We must conduct internal investigations to find the error.
Contexto cultural
The 'Tatort' effect: Germans are obsessed with police procedurals. Every Sunday at 8:15 PM, the nation watches fictional 'Ermittlungen'. The 'Unschuldsvermutung' (presumption of innocence) is paramount. Even if 'Ermittlungen geführt werden', the person is not a criminal until convicted. German news is very careful with names during investigations. They often use 'der 34-jährige Thomas S.' instead of full names. German administration loves 'Nominalstil' (noun-heavy style). 'Ermittlungen führen' is a perfect example of this formal preference.
Use the Passive
In writing, use 'Ermittlungen werden geführt' to sound more objective and professional.
No 'machen'!
Never say 'Ermittlungen machen'. It's the most common sign of a beginner.
Em 15 segundos
- Used for official, legal, or professional investigations.
- Common in news reports and police contexts.
- Combines the noun 'Ermittlungen' with the verb 'führen'.
What It Means
Ermittlungen führen is a high-level way to say someone is looking into something officially. Think of it as the German version of 'conducting an investigation.' It sounds professional and serious. You won't use this if you're just looking for your lost keys. You use it when the police are involved or when a company is doing a deep dive into a scandal. It implies a structured, legal, or official search for the truth.
How To Use It
Since führen is the verb, you need to conjugate it to match the subject. If the police are doing the work, you say: Die Polizei führt Ermittlungen. It often appears in the passive voice in news reports. You might hear: Es werden Ermittlungen geführt. This means 'investigations are being conducted.' It feels very 'CSI: Berlin.' You can also add adjectives like umfangreiche (extensive) to show how much work is being done. Just remember that Ermittlungen is always plural in this context.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you are talking about the law, crime, or serious corporate issues. It is perfect for discussing the news or a detective show. If you are at work and there is a serious breach of protocol, this phrase fits. It signals that you are taking the matter seriously. It’s the language of newspapers and official reports. You’ll sound very sophisticated using it in a B2-level discussion about social issues.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for trivial things. If your roommate ate your yogurt, don't say you are Ermittlungen führen. That would sound like you're calling the SWAT team over a snack. For casual 'looking into' something, use nachschauen or untersuchen. Also, avoid it in very relaxed settings unless you are being intentionally dramatic for a joke. It is too 'heavy' for a casual chat about where you left your phone.
Cultural Background
Germany is a country that deeply values 'Recht und Ordnung' (law and order). The process of Ermittlungen is strictly regulated by the Strafprozessordnung (code of criminal procedure). Germans love a good 'Tatort' (a famous long-running crime show). Because of this, almost every German is familiar with this legal jargon. It represents the methodical, step-by-step nature of the German legal system. It’s about being thorough and following the rules to the letter.
Common Variations
Ermittlungen einleiten: To initiate or start investigations. Use this when the news first breaks.Ermittlungen einstellen: To drop or stop investigations. Use this when there isn't enough evidence.Laufende Ermittlungen: Ongoing investigations. This is the classic 'no comment' phrase used by officials. It’s the perfect shield when you don't want to answer a nosey question!
Notas de uso
This is a fixed collocation (Nomen-Verb-Verbindung). It belongs to the formal register and is essential for anyone wanting to understand German news or legal proceedings.
Use the Passive
In writing, use 'Ermittlungen werden geführt' to sound more objective and professional.
No 'machen'!
Never say 'Ermittlungen machen'. It's the most common sign of a beginner.
Tatort Vocabulary
If you want to talk about German TV, this is your most important phrase.
Exemplos
6Die Staatsanwaltschaft führt Ermittlungen gegen den Unbekannten.
The public prosecutor's office is conducting investigations against the unknown person.
This is the most standard, formal use of the phrase.
In dieser Folge führen sie die Ermittlungen sehr schlampig.
In this episode, they are conducting the investigations very sloppily.
Even in casual conversation, the phrase remains grammatically formal.
Wir müssen interne Ermittlungen führen, um den Fehler zu finden.
We must conduct internal investigations to find the error.
Used here to show the gravity of a corporate situation.
Hier ist alles gesperrt, die Polizei führt wohl Ermittlungen.
Everything is blocked here; the police must be conducting investigations.
Speculating about a scene you are witnessing.
Wer hat meinen Keks gegessen? Ich werde Ermittlungen führen!
Who ate my cookie? I shall conduct investigations!
The formality makes the statement funny because it's overkill.
Trotz des Drucks führte er die Ermittlungen entschlossen weiter.
Despite the pressure, he resolutely continued the investigations.
Shows the persistence of a character.
Teste-se
Wählen Sie das richtige Verb für den Satz: 'Die Polizei ____ Ermittlungen gegen den Verdächtigen.'
Welches Verb passt?
'Ermittlungen führen' ist eine feste Kollokation (Funktionsverbgefüge).
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Präposition: 'Die Staatsanwaltschaft führt Ermittlungen ____ Korruption.'
Präposition?
Man führt Ermittlungen 'wegen' einer Straftat (Grund) und 'gegen' eine Person (Ziel).
Welche Situation passt zu 'Ermittlungen führen'?
Situationen:
Der Ausdruck wird nur in offiziellen oder kriminalistischen Kontexten verwendet.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Warum ist die Straße gesperrt? B: Die Polizei ____ ____ ____.
Dies ist die logische Antwort in einem polizeilichen Kontext.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Formal vs Informal
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosWelches Verb passt?
'Ermittlungen führen' ist eine feste Kollokation (Funktionsverbgefüge).
Präposition?
Man führt Ermittlungen 'wegen' einer Straftat (Grund) und 'gegen' eine Person (Ziel).
Situationen:
Der Ausdruck wird nur in offiziellen oder kriminalistischen Kontexten verwendet.
A: Warum ist die Straße gesperrt? B: Die Polizei ____ ____ ____.
Dies ist die logische Antwort in einem polizeilichen Kontext.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, but only if they are working on a formal case. For casual 'looking around', use 'nachforschen'.
95% of the time, yes. 'Eine Ermittlung führen' sounds like a single specific act, whereas 'Ermittlungen' refers to the whole process.
'Durchführen' is also correct and very common. 'Führen' is slightly more elegant in this specific collocation.
No, use 'Untersuchungen' or 'Versuche' for science.
Yes, but it's considered a B2 level phrase because of the light-verb construction.
No, it only implies that there is a suspicion that needs to be checked.
'Ermittlungen einstellen' (to stop/drop investigations).
No, 'halten' is never used with Ermittlungen.
Yes, though they also use 'Untersuchungsverfahren' very frequently.
Die Ermittlungen dauern an.
Frases relacionadas
Ermittlungen einleiten
builds onTo start an investigation
Ermittlungen einstellen
contrastTo stop an investigation
nachforschen
similarTo research/investigate
untersuchen
synonymTo examine/investigate
aufklären
specialized formTo solve a crime
