to confiscate
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to confiscate
To officially take possession of something (e.g., objects, property) on behalf of an authority such as the police or customs. This often happens as a punishment or to secure evidence.
Der Zoll hat die gefälschten Markenartikel am Flughafen beschlagnahmt.
Customs confiscated the counterfeit branded goods at the airport.
to occupy
(figurative) To fully take up a person's time, attention, or capacity to work.
Das neue Projekt hat mich in den letzten Wochen völlig beschlagnahmt.
The new project has completely occupied me over the last few weeks.
'Beschlagnahmen' (to confiscate) is an inseparable verb because it begins with the prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
Die Polizei beschlagnahmte die gestohlene Ware.
The police confiscated the stolen goods.
In its official meaning, 'beschlagnahmen' (to confiscate) is very often used in the passive. The subject is then the object that is being taken away.
Sein Führerschein wurde sofort von der Polizei beschlagnahmt.
His driver's license was immediately confiscated by the police.
You can recognize this meaning by the fact that the acting institution is an authority (e.g., police, customs, court) and the object is an item or property.
Das Gericht ordnete an, die Computer zu beschlagnahmen.
The court ordered the computers to be confiscated.
In the figurative meaning, the subject is often a task or a project, and the object is a person. It is often intensified with adverbs like 'völlig' (completely) or 'total' (totally).
Die Vorbereitung auf die Prüfung hat mich die ganze Woche völlig beschlagnahmt.
Preparing for the exam completely occupied me the whole week.
to move in / collect / absorb
Einziehen and beschlagnahmen both refer to officially taking something away. Beschlagnahmen emphasizes that an authority takes possession of the item, for example to secure evidence. Einziehen is more general and also applies when an authorized body officially removes an item that is not allowed.
Der Zoll beschlagnahmte die Waren an der Grenze als Beweismittel.
Customs confiscated the goods at the border as evidence.
Der Zoll zog die nicht erlaubten Waren an der Grenze ein.
Customs confiscated the prohibited goods at the border.
