verhören

to interrogate; to question (a suspect)

verb fer-HOE-ren Rare

Usage Note

verhören is the standard verb for police or judicial questioning of a suspect, more formal and coercive than befragen. The noun Verhör (interrogation) is equally common in legal contexts.

Examples

"Die Polizei verhörte den Verdächtigen stundenlang."

Natural Translation

The police interrogated the suspect for hours.

Literal Translation

The police interrogated the suspect for hours.

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