01
verhaftet
arrested
Describes the state of having been detained and taken into custody by the police.
example
Der Verdächtige wurde gestern Abend verhaftet.
The suspect was arrested yesterday evening.
verhaftet
arrested / attached
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Verhaftet' is the past participle of the verb 'verhaften' (to arrest). It is very often used like an adjective to describe the state of a person or a characteristic.
EXAMPLE
Der verhaftete Mann durfte einen Anwalt anrufen.
The arrested man was allowed to call a lawyer.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about the police, crimes, or laws, the literal meaning 'festgenommen' (detained/arrested) is intended. If it is about ideas, traditions, or the past, the figurative meaning 'festhalten an' (to cling to) is intended.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb wurde auf frischer Tat verhaftet.
The thief was arrested in the act.
Fixed preposition
In the figurative meaning, 'verhaftet' is always used with the preposition 'in' and the dative. The structure is: 'in etwas (Dativ) verhaftet sein' (to be attached to/stuck in something).
EXAMPLE
Sein Denken ist noch stark dem 19. Jahrhundert verhaftet.
His thinking is still strongly attached to the 19th century.
Compare with
verhaftet vs frei
free
'frei' and 'verhaftet' are opposites in this context. A person is 'frei' when they are not being held or locked up and can move around. A person is 'verhaftet' when the police have arrested them and they are not simply allowed to leave. The contrast is especially clear in news, police, or court contexts: either someone is free, or someone is arrested.
verhaftet
Am Wochenende ist der Verdächtige am Bahnhof verhaftet worden.
The suspect was arrested at the train station over the weekend.
frei
Nach der Befragung durfte der Mann wieder frei nach Hause gehen.
After the questioning, the man was allowed to go home free again.
In real life
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