jagen
to hunt
To pursue wild animals in order to catch or kill them, usually as a sport or to obtain food.
EXAMPLE
Sein Großvater ging früher oft im Wald jagen.
His grandfather used to often go hunting in the forest.
jagen
to hunt / chase
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
jagen
to chase
To pursue someone or something quickly and eagerly in order to catch up with them or it.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei jagte den flüchtigen Bankräuber durch die ganze Stadt.
The police chased the fleeing bank robber through the whole city.
jagen
to rush
To move somewhere very quickly, hastily, or in a hurry.
EXAMPLE
Er jagte die Treppe hoch, weil er dachte, das Telefon zu hören.
He rushed up the stairs because he thought he heard the phone.
jagen nach
to chase after
To strive intensely and often restlessly for something abstract, such as success, happiness, or recognition.
EXAMPLE
Sie jagte jahrelang nach beruflichem Erfolg und vergaß darüber ihr Privatleben.
For years she chased after professional success and neglected her private life because of it.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'jagen' (to hunt/chase) is the basis for the nouns 'die Jagd' (the hunt/hunting) and 'der Jäger' (the hunter). If you know the verb, you can understand the whole word family more easily.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Region ist die Jagd auf Hirsche im Herbst erlaubt.
In this region, hunting deer is allowed in the fall.
Use with the accusative
In the meaning 'verfolgen' (to pursue/chase), 'jagen' (to chase) almost always needs an accusative object. This object is the person or thing being pursued.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze jagt eine Maus durch den Garten.
The cat chases a mouse through the garden.
Describing movement
When 'jagen' (to rush) describes a fast movement, it is often combined with an indication of direction. It then expresses great hurry or haste.
EXAMPLE
Sie jagte aus dem Haus, um den Bus noch zu erwischen.
She rushed out of the house to still catch the bus.
Fixed preposition
When you strive for abstract things like success or happiness, 'jagen' (to chase) is always used with the preposition 'nach' (after) and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er jagt schon sein ganzes Leben nach dem großen Geld.
He has been chasing after big money his whole life.
Compare with
jagen vs verfolgen
to follow / pursue
Both words describe running or driving after someone in order to catch up with them. Jagen usually sounds faster, more intense, and often more aggressive, while verfolgen is more neutral and can also last longer. Use jagen for a fast-paced chase and verfolgen for a more general or less intense pursuit.
jagen
Die Polizisten jagen den flüchtenden Mann mit hoher Geschwindigkeit durch die engen Straßen.
The police chase the fleeing man at high speed through the narrow streets.
verfolgen
Die Polizisten verfolgen den flüchtenden Mann durch mehrere Straßen.
The police pursue the fleeing man through several streets.
In real life
Loading video examples...