to search for
Loading your saved state.
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' and 'fahnden' both mean that you want to find someone or something. 'suchen' is the normal word for everyday situations: you look for a key, an address, or a person. 'fahnden' is much more specific and sounds official. It is used mainly with the police or authorities when they are systematically searching for a wanted person or stolen items. The words can be confused because both describe a search. In everyday life, however, 'suchen' is almost always the right choice; 'fahnden' fits official investigations.
Seit gestern fahndet die Polizei nach einem gestohlenen Auto.
Since yesterday, the police have been searching for a stolen car.
Nico hat in der Bibliothek nach einem Buch für den nächsten Tag gesucht.
Nico looked for a book for the next day in the library.