kapern
Translation
to hijack, to capture, to commandeer
Examples
Piraten kaperten das Schiff auf hoher See.
Pirates hijacked the ship on the high seas.
Die Opposition versuchte, die Debatte zu kapern.
The opposition tried to hijack the debate.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to hijack ((sth.)) The pirates hijacked the merchant ship.
Similar Words
Synonyms: entführen (to kidnap), rauben (to rob), erobern (to conquer)
Etymology
From the Dutch word 'kapen', meaning 'to capture' or 'to take'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a pirate captain ('Käpt'n') 'kapern'-ing a ship. The sound is similar to 'capture'.