vernehmen
to question
(Technical language, especially legal) To officially question or interrogate a person, especially a witness or suspect.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei wird den Zeugen morgen vernehmen.
The police will question the witness tomorrow.
vernehmen
to question / to perceive
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Meanings
vernehmen
to perceive
(Elevated, becoming old-fashioned) To hear or perceive a sound, noise, or voice.
EXAMPLE
Plötzlich vernahm er ein leises Knistern im Gebüsch.
Suddenly he perceived a quiet crackling in the bushes.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Vernehmen' (to question / to perceive) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'nehmen' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter vernahm den Angeklagten den ganzen Vormittag.
The judge questioned the defendant all morning.
Word family
The verb is derived from 'nehmen' (to take). The prefix 'ver-' gives the word the meaning of taking in or learning something through questioning or through hearing.
EXAMPLE
Man konnte aus der Ferne laute Rufe vernehmen.
Loud calls could be perceived from a distance.
Register: technical language
This meaning of 'vernehmen' (to question) belongs to the technical language of the justice system and police. In everyday language, words like 'befragen' (to question) or 'verhören' (to interrogate) are used instead.
EXAMPLE
Der Beschuldigte wurde von der Staatsanwaltschaft vernommen.
The suspect was questioned by the public prosecutor's office.
Sentence structure and usage
In this meaning, 'vernehmen' (to question) always takes an accusative object that refers to the person being questioned. The person's role is often added with 'als' (as), for example 'jemanden als Zeugen vernehmen' (to question someone as a witness).
EXAMPLE
Die Kriminalpolizei wird sie als Zeugin vernehmen.
The criminal police will question her as a witness.
Register: elevated
In the meaning of 'hören' (to hear), 'vernehmen' (to perceive) is elevated and somewhat old-fashioned. It is found mainly in literature or very formal language to describe the conscious perception of a sound.
EXAMPLE
In der Stille der Nacht vernahm sie plötzlich Schritte im Flur.
In the silence of the night, she suddenly perceived footsteps in the hallway.
Compare with
vernehmen vs hören
to hear / to listen
Both words can mean perceiving a noise or voice with one’s ears. „Hören“ is the neutral and usual word today, while „vernehmen“ sounds elevated or old-fashioned in this meaning. „Hören“ is therefore usually used in everyday situations, while „vernehmen“ may also appear in older or deliberately elevated texts.
vernehmen
In der alten Erzählung vernahm der Wanderer ein leises Geräusch im Wald.
In the old story, the traveler heard a faint noise in the forest.
hören
Ich hörte im Flur ein leises Geräusch.
I heard a faint noise in the hallway.
In real life
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