pursuit / persecution
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pursuit
Chasing or running after someone or something in order to catch up with or capture them or it.
Die Polizei nahm sofort die Verfolgung des Fluchtautos auf.
The police immediately took up pursuit of the getaway car.
The noun 'die Verfolgung' (pursuit / persecution) comes from the verb 'verfolgen' (to pursue / follow). This verb consists of the prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'folgen' (to follow). The basic meaning of 'following someone or something' can be recognized in all meanings of the noun.
Die Fans verfolgten das Spiel mit großer Spannung.
The fans followed the game with great excitement.
To say who or what is being pursued, the genitive or the preposition 'von' is usually used. The genitive is more common in written language.
Die Verfolgung des Täters dauerte mehrere Stunden.
The pursuit of the perpetrator lasted several hours.
In the context of a chase or escape, the fixed expression 'die Verfolgung aufnehmen' (to take up pursuit) is often used. It means that you begin chasing someone.
Nach dem Banküberfall nahm die Polizei sofort die Verfolgung auf.
After the bank robbery, the police immediately took up pursuit.
This meaning is often recognizable from adjectives like 'politisch' (political), 'religiös' (religious), or 'ethnisch' (ethnic). The context is usually historical or has to do with human rights.
Viele Künstler mussten wegen politischer Verfolgung ihre Heimat verlassen.
Many artists had to leave their homeland because of political persecution.
In legal contexts, the word 'Strafverfolgung' (criminal prosecution) is often used. It refers to the work of the authorities that investigate and punish a criminal offense.
Die Strafverfolgung von Internetkriminalität ist eine große Herausforderung.
The prosecution of cybercrime is a major challenge.
When it is about achieving something abstract, 'Verfolgung' (pursuit) is often combined with nouns such as 'Ziele' (goals), 'Träume' (dreams), or 'Interessen' (interests).
Die konsequente Verfolgung ihrer Ziele führte sie zum Erfolg.
The consistent pursuit of her goals led her to success.
escape / alignment
'die Flucht' and 'die Verfolgung' describe two opposite sides of the same situation. In a Flucht, someone tries to get away because there is danger or someone wants to catch them. In a Verfolgung, someone runs or drives after them in order to catch up with the person or thing. So a scene can contain both: one person is 'auf der Flucht' (on the run), while another 'nimmt die Verfolgung auf' (takes up the pursuit).
Die Polizei nahm sofort die Verfolgung des Wagens auf.
The police immediately took up pursuit of the car.
Nach dem Unfall ergriff der Fahrer die Flucht.
After the accident, the driver fled.