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.
commissioner / inspector
'der Kommissar' and 'der Privatdetektiv' both have to do with investigations, but they work in different areas. A 'Kommissar' belongs to the police and officially investigates crimes. A 'Privatdetektiv' works privately, often on behalf of an individual person or a company. The words can be confused because both gather information and solve cases. The practical difference is: for the police and a crime, 'Kommissar' fits; for private assignments, 'Privatdetektiv' fits.
Die Firma beauftragt einen Privatdetektiv, weil wichtige Unterlagen verschwunden sind.
The company hires a private detective because important documents have disappeared.
Nach dem Einbruch kam ein Kommissar in die Wohnung und stellte Fragen.
After the break-in, a detective inspector came to the apartment and asked questions.