to search for
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to search for
To carry out an official and systematic search, usually by the police, in order to find a wanted person (e.g., a criminal) or a stolen item.
Die Polizei fahndet mit einem Phantombild nach dem flüchtigen Täter.
The police are searching for the fugitive offender using a facial composite.
The verb 'fahnden' (to search for) is almost always used with the preposition 'nach' and the dative. You search for a person or a thing.
Die Polizei fahndet nach einem Mann mit einem roten Hut.
The police are searching for a man with a red hat.
'Fahnden' (to search for) is mainly used in connection with the police or other authorities. It describes an official, organized search.
Nach dem Banküberfall fahndet die Polizei im ganzen Bundesland.
After the bank robbery, the police are searching throughout the entire federal state.
This word belongs to formal language. You often find it in the news, newspaper articles, and official police statements.
Öffentlich wird nach den Verdächtigen gefahndet.
A public search is being conducted for the suspects.
to search / look for
„Suchen“ generally refers to trying to find a person or thing. „Fahnden“ is an official, systematic search, usually carried out by the police. Use „suchen“ for a private search and „fahnden nach“ for an official investigative search.
Die Polizei fahndet seit gestern nach dem vermissten Mann.
The police have been searching for the missing man since yesterday.
Die Familie sucht seit gestern nach dem vermissten Mann.
The family has been looking for the missing man since yesterday.
