die Polizei
Meaning and Usage
"Die Polizei" in German means "the police." It refers to the law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing laws, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities.
Linguistic Analysis
"Die Polizei" is a feminine noun in German. It does not have any prefix, and its root is "Poliz-" which is derived from the French word "police." It is used in the singular form as "die Polizei" and in the plural form as "die Polizeien."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "Polizei" in German is similar to the English word "police" in both meaning and usage.
Cultural Context
In Germany, the police play a crucial role in maintaining law and order, and they are respected as public servants. The German police are known for their efficiency and strict adherence to the law.
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei hat den Dieb gefasst. (The police caught the thief.)
- Bitte rufen Sie die Polizei an! (Please call the police!)
Memory Tips
To remember the meaning of "die Polizei," you can associate it with the English word "police" and think of the role they play in maintaining public order.
Additional Vocabulary
- die Polizeistation (f) / das Polizeirevier (n) - police station
- der Polizist (m) / die Polizistin (f) - police officer
- die Kriminalpolizei (f) - criminal investigation department
- die Streifenwagen (pl) - patrol car
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
Gender: Feminine Plural: die Polizeien
Conjugation (for verbs)
N/A (die Polizei is a noun)