patrol
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patrol
A walk or drive by police officers, soldiers, or security personnel to monitor an area. It can refer both to the activity and to the group of people patrolling.
Nachts fährt regelmäßig eine Streife durch das Wohngebiet.
At night, a patrol regularly drives through the residential area.
The noun 'Streife' is derived from the verb 'streifen', which means 'to roam' or 'to wander'. So a 'Streife' is literally a 'Streifzug' (roving patrol/foray) to monitor an area.
Die Polizei streift nachts durch die Wohngebiete.
The police roam through the residential areas at night.
To describe the activity of patrolling, 'Streife' is often combined with the verbs 'fahren' (to drive) or 'gehen' (to go/walk). This specifies how the patrol is carried out.
Die Polizei fährt am Wochenende verstärkt Streife.
The police increase their patrols on weekends.
The word 'Streife' can refer both to the group of people and to the activity. When people speak of 'einer Streife' (a patrol), they usually mean the group. When they speak of 'der Streife' (the patrol), it can also mean the activity.
Eine Streife kontrollierte die verdächtigen Personen.
A patrol checked the suspicious people.
The phrase 'auf Streife sein' (to be on patrol) is a fixed construction with the preposition 'auf'. It describes the state of currently being on duty and out monitoring an area.
Die Polizisten sind seit Stunden auf Streife.
The police officers have been on patrol for hours.
tour / patrol
'der Rundgang' and 'die Streife' can both refer to a patrol or inspection movement through an area or building. 'Rundgang' is more general and can also be a tour; in the context of inspection, you often think of a fixed round on foot. 'Streife' is used especially for police, soldiers, or security forces. It can refer to the activity or also to the group of people. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with checking or monitoring. When it is about police or security services in an area, 'Streife' sounds more natural. For a normal round through a building, 'Rundgang' fits well.
Nach dem Einbruch fährt die Polizei nachts öfter Streife im Viertel.
After the break-in, the police patrol the neighborhood more often at night.
Der Hausmeister macht jeden Abend einen Rundgang durch das Gebäude.
The caretaker makes a patrol through the building every evening.