interrogation
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interrogation
The formal and official questioning of a person by an authority, especially by the police, the public prosecutor's office, or a court. The aim is to clarify the facts of a case.
Der Zeuge wurde zur Vernehmung auf die Polizeiwache geladen.
The witness was summoned to the police station for interrogation.
'Die Vernehmung' (interrogation) is the noun related to the verb 'vernehmen'. The verb means 'to question someone officially' or also 'to perceive something'. The ending '-ung' turns the action into a noun and is always feminine.
Der Polizist wird den Zeugen morgen vernehmen.
The police officer will interrogate the witness tomorrow.
This word firmly belongs to legal and police language. It is a formal term for official questioning and is not used in everyday life for normal conversations.
Die Vernehmung fand im Beisein seines Anwalts statt.
The interrogation took place in the presence of his lawyer.
Common combinations are 'polizeiliche Vernehmung' (police interrogation) or 'gerichtliche Vernehmung' (court interrogation). Someone is 'zu einer Vernehmung geladen' (summoned for interrogation) or 'einer Vernehmung unterzogen' (subjected to interrogation). The person being questioned often appears in the genitive: 'die Vernehmung des Zeugen' (the interrogation of the witness).
Die Vernehmung des Angeklagten dauerte mehrere Stunden.
The interrogation of the defendant lasted several hours.
questioning / survey
Both words refer to asking a person targeted questions, for example by the police. Befragung is broader and can also take place outside a regulated procedure, whereas Vernehmung clearly refers to a formal official action. Vernehmung is therefore particularly suitable for an official proceeding.
Am nächsten Morgen begann die formelle Vernehmung des Verdächtigen.
The formal interrogation of the suspect began the next morning.
Nach dem Unfall führte die Polizei eine kurze Befragung der Zeugen durch.
After the accident, the police conducted a brief questioning of the witnesses.
