ermitteln
determine · investigate
Herausfinden, was passiert ist oder wie etwas ist, oft durch Nachfragen oder Untersuchen.
The German word "ermitteln" is a verb meaning "to determine," "to investigate," or "to ascertain."
- It is derived from "mitteln," which means "to mediate" or "to average" (finding the middle or a result), without any additional prefixes.
Similar words include:
- "untersuchen" (to examine/investigate)
- "feststellen" (to find out/determine)
- "nachforschen" (to research/investigate)
Difference:
- "Ermitteln" is often used in official or formal contexts, especially in police work or investigations when gathering facts systematically.
- "Untersuchen" is broader and can be used for general examinations, including medical ones.
- "Feststellen" focuses on the result of realizing or establishing a fact.
- "Nachforschen" emphasizes informal or personal investigation or research.
Make “ermitteln” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Wir müssen die Ursache des Unfalls ermitteln.verb
We need to determine the cause of the accident.
Die Ermittler versuchen, die Ursache des Vorfalls zu ermitteln.verb
The investigators are trying to determine the cause of the incident.
Wir müssen die Ursache des Problems ermitteln.verb
We need to determine the cause of the problem.
Sie ermitteln die Ursache des Problems.verb
They are determining the cause of the problem.
Anna und Max ermitteln in einem schwierigen Fall.verb
Anna and Max investigate a difficult case.
Der Richter ermittelte sorgfältig alle relevanten Informationen, bevor er entschied.verb
The judge carefully investigated all relevant information before he decided.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad