whereabouts
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whereabouts
The place where a person or thing is located, especially when this place is unknown. Almost always used in the singular in German.
Die Polizei hat noch keine Hinweise auf den Verbleib des gestohlenen Gemäldes.
The police still have no clues about the whereabouts of the stolen painting.
'Der Verbleib' (whereabouts) is a noun derived from the verb 'verbleiben' (to remain), which means 'bleiben' (to stay) or 'verweilen' (to linger). So 'der Verbleib' is the place where someone or something has remained.
Er ist unbekannt verzogen und sein genauer Verbleib ist nicht bekannt.
He has moved without leaving a forwarding address, and his exact whereabouts are not known.
This word is used mainly in formal or official contexts, for example in police reports, news reports, or legal matters. In everyday language, you would simply ask: 'Wo ist er/sie/es?' (Where is he/she/it?)
Die Behörden machen keine Angaben über den Verbleib der Zeugin.
The authorities are not providing any information about the whereabouts of the witness.
The genitive or 'von' + dative is often used to clarify whose whereabouts are meant. Typical verbs in this context are 'klären' (to clarify), 'ermitteln' (to determine/investigate), or 'rätseln über' (to puzzle over).
Die Polizei ermittelt den Verbleib des verschwundenen Kindes.
The police are trying to determine the whereabouts of the missing child.
Since 'Verbleib' describes the unknown location as a concept, the word is used almost exclusively in the singular. A plural form ('die Verbleibe') is extremely rare and unusual.
Der Verbleib der alten Dokumente konnte nicht geklärt werden.
The whereabouts of the old documents could not be clarified.
location / site
Standort refers to the spatial position of a person or thing and may be known or determinable. Verbleib (whereabouts) is used especially when it is unclear where the person or thing is currently located. Standort therefore fits a position shown on a map, while Verbleib fits an unresolved whereabouts.
Der Verbleib des Lieferwagens ist seit gestern ungeklärt.
The whereabouts of the delivery van have been unknown since yesterday.
Der aktuelle Standort des Lieferwagens wird auf der Karte angezeigt.
The delivery van's current location is shown on the map.
