ertappen
Translation
to catch, to surprise, to catch red-handed
Examples
Er wurde beim Stehlen ertappt.
He was caught stealing.
Ich habe mich dabei ertappt, an dich zu denken.
I caught myself thinking of you.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) ((bei+3)) to catch (sb.) (doing sth.) She caught him lying.
sich ((bei+3)) to catch oneself (doing sth.) I often catch myself with this thought.
Similar Words
Synonyms: erwischen (to catch), überführen (to convict)
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' (often indicating achievement through an action) + 'tappen' (to grope, fumble). The idea is 'to catch someone by fumbling/groping for them'.
Memory Tips
Imagine you 'tap' someone on the shoulder and catch them doing something wrong. The 'er-' prefix signifies the successful result of the action.