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Working with a secret identity or on a covert mission in order to gather information or solve a crime. Usually used for investigators or journalists.
Der Polizist arbeitete als undercover Ermittler in der Drogenszene.
The police officer worked as an undercover investigator in the drug scene.
'Undercover' is a word borrowed directly from English. In German, it is used with exactly the same meaning for covert investigations or operations.
Der Journalist recherchierte undercover für seine Reportage.
The journalist researched undercover for his report.
As an adjective, 'undercover' is usually not declined in German and comes after the noun or verb. When it comes before a noun, it often forms a compound word, such as 'der Undercover-Einsatz' (the undercover operation).
Der Agent war undercover im Einsatz.
The agent was on assignment undercover.
Common combinations are 'undercover ermitteln' (to investigate undercover), 'undercover arbeiten' (to work undercover), as well as the nouns 'Undercover-Agent' (undercover agent), 'Undercover-Ermittler' (undercover investigator), and 'Undercover-Einsatz' (undercover operation).
Die Polizei setzte einen Undercover-Ermittler auf den Fall an.
The police assigned an undercover investigator to the case.
open
'offen' and 'undercover' can form a contrast when it comes to the way someone acts or works. 'offen' then means that someone appears honestly and visibly and does not hide anything. 'undercover' means that someone works with a secret identity and does not show their true role. So the contrast is not 'offen' in the sense of an open door, but 'offen' in the sense of direct and not hidden. 'undercover' is typical in conversations about the police, journalism, or investigations.
Der Ermittler arbeitete mehrere Wochen undercover in der Firma.
The investigator worked undercover at the company for several weeks.
Die Journalistin sprach offen mit dem Bürgermeister über die Probleme im Viertel.
The journalist spoke openly with the mayor about the problems in the neighborhood.