ertappen
to catch
To surprise someone while they are doing something forbidden or secret.
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter hat ihre Tochter dabei ertappt, wie sie heimlich Schokolade aß.
The mother caught her daughter secretly eating chocolate.
ertappen
to catch
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Meanings
sich ertappen bei
to catch oneself
To suddenly and unexpectedly notice a certain behavior, thought, or feeling in oneself.
EXAMPLE
Ich ertappte mich dabei, wie ich während der langweiligen Präsentation vor mich hinträumte.
I caught myself daydreaming during the boring presentation.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Ertappen' (to catch) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly connected to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ihn schon oft bei kleinen Lügen ertappt.
She has often caught him telling little lies.
Sentence structure with 'bei'
The most important structure is 'jemanden bei etwas (Dativ) ertappen' (to catch someone doing something). The preposition 'bei' introduces the forbidden or secret action. A common mistake is using the wrong preposition.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer ertappte den Schüler beim Spicken.
The teacher caught the student cheating.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich bei etwas ertappen' (to catch oneself doing something) means that you unexpectedly notice a thought or unconscious action in yourself. The structure with 'bei' + dative stays the same.
EXAMPLE
Ich ertappte mich dabei, wie ich mit dem Stift auf den Tisch klopfte.
I caught myself tapping the pen on the table.
Compare with
ertappen vs erwischen
to catch
Both verbs can mean that someone is discovered while committing a forbidden act. „Ertappen“ specifically refers to surprising someone in the act, while „erwischen“ is broader and also includes catching or encountering someone afterward. For catching someone in the act, „ertappen“ is especially appropriate.
ertappen
Der Lehrer ertappte ihn beim Abschreiben.
The teacher caught him copying.
erwischen
Der Lehrer erwischte ihn kurz nach dem Abschreiben mit dem Spickzettel.
The teacher caught him with a cheat sheet shortly after he had copied the answers.
In real life
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