gefangen
captive
Held by someone and prevented from leaving freely or escaping.
EXAMPLE
Die gefangenen Soldaten wurden in ein Lager gebracht.
The captive soldiers were taken to a camp.
gefangen
captive / trapped / captivated
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Meanings
gefangen
trapped
Stuck in a difficult or unpleasant situation that is hard to escape from.
EXAMPLE
Sie fühlte sich in ihrer kleinen Wohnung gefangen.
She felt trapped in her small apartment.
von etwas gefangen sein
captivated
Deeply impressed, fascinated, or emotionally absorbed by something.
EXAMPLE
Das Publikum war von der Musik völlig gefangen.
The audience was completely captivated by the music.
Forms
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to gefangen.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to gefangen.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to gefangen.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Gefangen' (captive / trapped / captivated) is the past participle of 'fangen' (to catch) and is often used as an adjective with 'sein' (to be). In this use, it describes an existing state.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall war der Fahrer im Wagen gefangen.
After the accident, the driver was trapped in the car.
Context clue
The preposition often indicates which meaning is intended: 'in' (in) refers to a situation or place, while 'von' (by) often introduces the influence of something or an experience.
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderer waren im Schnee gefangen.
The hikers were trapped in the snow.
Die Zuschauer waren von der Geschichte gefangen.
The viewers were captivated by the story.
Fixed expression
When referring to capture or captivity, 'gefangen' (captive) often appears in the expression 'gefangen genommen werden' (to be taken captive). The verb 'nehmen' (to take) appears here in its past participle form.
EXAMPLE
Die Spione wurden nach kurzer Flucht gefangen genommen.
The spies were taken captive after a brief escape.
The preposition 'in'
When referring to a difficult situation, 'gefangen sein' (to be trapped) is often used with 'in' (in) and the dative case. This is followed by the situation or place that is hard to escape from.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen fühlen sich in ihrem Alltag gefangen.
Many people feel trapped in their daily lives.
The preposition 'von'
In the sense of 'stark beeindruckt oder fasziniert' (deeply impressed or fascinated), 'gefangen sein' (to be captivated) is often used with 'von' (by) and the dative case. This is followed by the experience, person, or work that has this effect.
EXAMPLE
Er war von dem Buch so gefangen, dass er die Zeit vergaß.
He was so captivated by the book that he lost track of time.
In real life
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