vernehmen
Translation
to interrogate, to question, to hear, to perceive
Examples
Die Polizei wird den Zeugen vernehmen.
The police will interrogate the witness.
Ich vernahm ein seltsames Geräusch.
I perceived a strange noise.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) to interrogate/question (sb.) The police will vernehmen the witness.
((et4)) to perceive/hear (sth.) I vernahm a strange noise.
Similar Words
Synonyms: befragen, ausfragen, hören; Antonyms: ignorieren, überhören
Etymology
Composed of the prefix 'ver-' and 'nehmen' (to take). It literally means 'to take in' information or sound.
Memory Tips
Imagine a judge 'taking' ('nehmen') testimony from a witness. The 'ver-' prefix makes the action official and formal, as in an interrogation.