capture
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capture
The act of seizing and holding a person so that they lose their freedom and become a prisoner.
Die Polizei meldete die erfolgreiche Gefangennahme des flüchtigen Bankräubers.
The police reported the successful capture of the fugitive bank robber.
'Gefangennahme' (capture) is the nominalization of the separable verb 'gefangen nehmen' (to take prisoner / to capture). It describes the process in which someone is captured.
Die Gefangennahme des Spions war ein großer Erfolg für den Geheimdienst.
The capture of the spy was a major success for the intelligence service.
This word belongs to formal language and is used mainly in official reports, news, or historical texts. It describes an act that is relevant in a legal or military context.
Die Zeitung berichtete ausführlich über die Gefangennahme des Diktators.
The newspaper reported extensively on the capture of the dictator.
The person who is captured usually appears in the genitive directly after the noun or is connected with the preposition 'von' (of / by).
Die Gefangennahme des Anführers schwächte die gesamte Gruppe.
The capture of the leader weakened the entire group.
arrest
Festnahme is the usual term when the police or other authorities take a suspect into custody. Gefangennahme more generally emphasizes that someone is seized and held, thereby becoming a prisoner. Festnahme is therefore usually appropriate for a police operation, while Gefangennahme is more appropriate in a fight.
Die Soldaten meldeten die Gefangennahme des Gegners nach einem kurzen Kampf.
The soldiers reported capturing the opponent after a brief fight.
Die Polizei bestätigte die Festnahme des Tatverdächtigen nach einer kurzen Suche.
The police confirmed the arrest of the suspect after a brief search.
