durchsuchten

Durchsuchten is the simple past tense form of the German verb durchsuchen, meaning to search through or to comb thoroughly. It describes a completed action in the past and is commonly used in written narrative, reporting, or formal description.

Etymology and forms: The verb combines the prefix durch- with suchen (to search). Conjugation in the Präteritum includes: ich durchsuchte, du durchsuchtest, er/sie/es durchsuchte, wir durchsuchten, ihr durchsuchtet, sie/Sie durchsuchten. The form durchsuchten can signal either a first-person plural or third-person plural subject, depending on context, and is typically found in past-tense prose. In spoken German, the Perfekt (haben durchsucht) is more frequent.

Usage and context: Durchsuchten is often used to describe thorough or systematic searches, such as in police operations, investigations, or meticulous examination of documents. Example: Die Polizei durchsuchte das Gebäude nach Beweismitteln. Another example: Die Ermittler durchsuchten sämtliche Unterlagen. In contrast, the noun Durchsuchung refers to the act or process of searching (a search or raid), while synonyms such as absuchen or durchforsten carry similar meaning with subtle nuance.

Legal and formal context: In law enforcement, Durchsuchung and related terms appear in official reports and legal texts, including references to Durchsuchungsbefehle (search warrants) and procedural descriptions of searches conducted during investigations. The term conveys thoroughness and scope, whether applied to physical premises or data.