detective
Loading your saved state.
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.
investigator
Ermittler and Detektiv can both refer to someone who investigates a case as part of their job. Ermittler mainly refers to the specific investigative role, usually with the police or an authority. Detektiv refers to the occupation and can also mean someone who works privately; however, the word is not restricted exclusively to private cases.
Der private Detektiv suchte im Auftrag des Besitzers nach Hinweisen zu dem Einbruch.
The private detective looked for clues about the break-in on behalf of the owner.
Der Ermittler der Polizei suchte nach Hinweisen zu dem Einbruch.
The police investigator looked for clues about the break-in.
