verb
to arrest
B1
Verhaften means 'to arrest'. It is a regular weak verb (Perfekt: 'verhaftet') and uses auxiliary haben. Not reflexive or separable. Commonly used with agents: 'jemanden verhaften' or in passive 'verhaftet werden' (to be arrested). Formal/legal register; imperative forms exist (verhafte!, verhaftet!).
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Die Polizei hat den Verdächtigen gestern verhaftet.
The police arrested the suspect yesterday.
Die Polizei verhaftet den Dieb.
The police are arresting the thief.
Die Beamten verhafteten den Verdächtigen.
The officers arrested the suspect.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture police putting handcuffs on someone and saying 'verhaftet' — the 'haft' (handcuff) sticks in your mind.
Sounds like 'ver' + 'haft' — imagine a 'haft' (handcuff) being put on.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
A weak (regular) verb. Not separable. Common in news and legal contexts.