detective
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detective
A person whose job is to conduct investigations in order to solve crimes or obtain information. Detectives may work privately or be part of the police.
Der Privatdetektiv beschattete den Verdächtigen tagelang.
The private detective shadowed the suspect for days.
The word 'Detektiv' (detective) is related to the German verb 'detektieren' (to detect), which means 'entdecken' (to discover) or 'aufspüren' (to track down). Both words have their origin in the Latin 'detegere' (to uncover).
Mit dem neuen Gerät können kleinste Spuren von Chemikalien detektiert werden.
With the new device, even the smallest traces of chemicals can be detected.
A Detektiv is often associated with certain activities. Typical verbs are 'einen Detektiv engagieren' (to hire a detective) or 'beauftragen' (to commission), 'einen Fall lösen' (to solve a case), and 'Ermittlungen führen' (to conduct investigations).
Sie hat einen Detektiv engagiert, um ihren verschwundenen Bruder zu finden.
She hired a detective to find her missing brother.
In German, 'Detektiv' is most often used for a private investigator ('Privatdetektiv'). A police officer with investigative duties is usually called a 'Kriminalkommissar' (detective inspector) or 'Ermittler' (investigator) in official usage.
Die Firma beauftragte einen Detektiv, um den Diebstahl aufzuklären.
The company hired a detective to investigate the theft.
police officer
'der Polizist' and 'der Detektiv' can both have to do with crimes and investigations. A police officer belongs to the police and is generally responsible for safety and order. A detective specifically looks for information or solves a case. He may work privately or be part of the police. Learners may confuse the words because both investigate cases in crime stories. The important point is: Not every police officer is a detective, and not every detective is a police officer.
Frau Klein beauftragt einen Detektiv, weil sie den verschwundenen Schmuck finden will.
Ms. Klein hires a detective because she wants to find the missing jewelry.
Beim Einkaufen meldet meine Schwester den Diebstahl einem Polizisten.
While shopping, my sister reports the theft to a police officer.