verb

gefangennehmen

capture

gefangennehmen means to capture, to take prisoner, or to arrest someone.

Literal meaning: to capture a person, usually during a war, an operation, or a police action.
Die Soldaten nahmen den Spion gefangen. — “The soldiers took the spy prisoner.”
Figurative meaning: to captivate, fascinate, or enthrall someone.
Ihre Stimme nahm das Publikum gefangen. — “Her voice captivated the audience.”

It is usually used with an object referring to a person:

gefangennehmen is a separable strong verb.

The word consists of:

Literally, gefangennehmen means “to take captive.”

festnehmen — to arrest or apprehend; mainly used for police arrests and usually more neutral and official than gefangennehmen.
verhaften — to arrest someone under legal authority; specifically emphasizes a formal police or judicial arrest.
einfangen — to catch or capture; often used for animals, objects, or people who are fleeing, without necessarily implying imprisonment.
gefangen setzen — to imprison or put someone into captivity; less common and more focused on placing someone in confinement.

For the figurative meaning:

fesseln — to captivate or hold someone’s attention; it can also literally mean “to chain.”
begeistern — to inspire or enthuse, usually emphasizing positive excitement rather than being emotionally captivated.

freilassen — to release a prisoner or captive.
befreien — to free or liberate someone from captivity or restraint.
entkommen — to escape; this describes the action of the person who avoids or escapes capture.

jemanden gefangennehmen — to capture someone
einen Feind gefangennehmen — to capture an enemy
einen Verdächtigen gefangennehmen — to capture a suspect
in Gefangenschaft geraten — to fall into captivity
jemanden mit seiner Ausstrahlung gefangennehmen — to captivate someone with one’s charisma or presence

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Am Abend wollen sie den Täter gefangennehmen.verb

In the evening, they want to capture the perpetrator.

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