private detective
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private detective
A person who professionally carries out private investigations in order to obtain information or solve cases on behalf of individuals or companies.
Sie engagierte einen Privatdetektiv, um herauszufinden, ob ihr Mann sie betrügt.
She hired a private detective to find out whether her husband was cheating on her.
The word is made up of 'privat' (private) and 'Detektiv' (detective). The part 'privat' emphasizes that this person does not work for the state, like the police, but for private clients.
Die Polizei durfte nicht ermitteln, also hat er einen Privatdetektiv bezahlt.
The police were not allowed to investigate, so he paid a private detective.
When using the services of a private detective, people often use the verbs 'einen Privatdetektiv engagieren' (to hire a private detective), 'beauftragen' (to commission), or 'anheuern' (to hire).
Das Unternehmen beauftragte einen Privatdetektiv, um den Diebstahl aufzuklären.
The company hired a private detective to solve the theft.
The work of a private detective is often described with verbs such as 'ermitteln' (to investigate), 'jemanden beschatten' (to tail someone; to secretly observe someone), or 'Informationen beschaffen' (to obtain information).
Der Privatdetektiv sollte den Verdächtigen eine Woche lang beschatten.
The private detective was supposed to tail the suspect for a week.
investigator
Ermittler and Privatdetektiv can both investigate a specific case. Ermittler emphasizes this task and usually refers to someone with the police or an authority. Privatdetektiv explicitly refers to someone who takes on private assignments professionally for individuals or companies.
Der Privatdetektiv prüfte im Auftrag der Firma die Hinweise zu dem vermissten Firmenwagen.
The private detective examined the clues concerning the missing company car on behalf of the company.
Der Ermittler der Polizei prüfte die Hinweise zu dem vermissten Firmenwagen.
The police investigator examined the clues concerning the missing company car.
