01
der Gewahrsam
custody
The temporary detention of a person by the police or another authority. This is a legal term.
example
Der Verdächtige wurde zur Befragung in Gewahrsam genommen.
The suspect was taken into custody for questioning.
der Gewahrsam
custody
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Gewahrsam' (custody) is related to the old verb 'wahren' (in the sense of 'bewahren' or 'hüten', meaning to preserve or guard). It therefore describes the state of someone or something being securely kept or detained.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei nahm die Beweismittel in Gewahrsam.
The police took the evidence into custody.
Register and style
This word belongs to formal administrative and legal language. The meaning 'polizeiliche Haft' (police custody) is common today, while the meaning 'sichere Aufbewahrung von Gegenständen' (safe keeping of objects) is considered outdated.
EXAMPLE
Der Beschuldigte befindet sich in polizeilichem Gewahrsam.
The accused is in police custody.
Fixed expressions
In a legal context, 'Gewahrsam' (custody) is almost always used in fixed expressions: 'jemanden in Gewahrsam nehmen' (to take someone into custody), 'sich in Gewahrsam befinden' (to be in custody), or 'jemanden aus dem Gewahrsam entlassen' (to release someone from custody).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Verhör wurde sie aus dem Gewahrsam entlassen.
After the interrogation, she was released from custody.
Use without an article
In typical fixed expressions such as 'in Gewahrsam nehmen' (to take into custody), the noun is used without an article. So it is 'in Gewahrsam' and not 'in den Gewahrsam'.
EXAMPLE
Die Demonstranten wurden vorübergehend in Gewahrsam genommen.
The demonstrators were temporarily taken into custody.
Compare with
Gewahrsam vs Besitz
possession
'Besitz' and 'Gewahrsam' can both mean that someone actually has something with them or controls it. 'Besitz' is the normal and much more common word for this, including in legal contexts. 'Gewahrsam' sounds formal or legal, and with objects it tends to mean that someone takes something into their care in order to keep it safe. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with actual control over an object. In everyday language, people almost always say 'Besitz'; 'Gewahrsam' is more suitable in official or legal situations.
Gewahrsam
Die Polizei nimmt die gefundenen Wertgegenstände vorübergehend in Gewahrsam.
The police temporarily take the valuables that were found into custody.
Besitz
Die alten Briefe bleiben im Besitz der Familie.
The old letters remain in the family's possession.
In real life
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