greifen
Translation
to grab, to grasp, to seize, to reach for
Examples
Er greift nach dem Buch.
He reaches for the book.
Die Polizei konnte den Dieb greifen.
The police were able to catch the thief.
Diese Regel greift in diesem Fall nicht.
This rule does not apply in this case.
Grammar Patterns
((nach+3)) to reach for sth. The child reaches for the toy.
((sb./sth.)) to grab/seize sb./sth. He grabs the ball.
((zu+3)) to resort to sth. He had to resort to a trick.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fassen, packen, nehmen; Antonyms: loslassen, freigeben
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *grīpaną, related to the English word 'grip'.
Memory Tips
Imagine using your 'grip' to 'greifen' (grab) something.