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
in Gewahrsam nehmen
to take into custody
(formal, becoming outdated) To take possession of something in order to keep it safe and protect it.
EXAMPLE
Der Notar nahm das Testament in seinen Gewahrsam.
The notary took the will into his custody.
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is common today, while the meaning 'sichere Aufbewahrung von Gegenständen' (safe keeping of objects) is considered outdated.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 Haft
custody / imprisonment
Haft and Gewahrsam can both refer to being deprived of one’s freedom by an authority. Haft emphasizes detention by the police or the courts, often in connection with legal proceedings. Gewahrsam is a legal term for temporary detention by an authority.
Gewahrsam
Die Polizei nahm den Mann bis zur Klärung seiner Identität in Gewahrsam.
The police took the man into custody until his identity could be established.
Haft
Der Verdächtige blieb bis zur Entscheidung des Gerichts in Haft.
The suspect remained in custody until the court made its decision.
In real life
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