interrogation
gb/ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən/ us/ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8600
kihallgatás, kérdő jelleg, interrogativitás, kérdésalkotás, lekérdezés
NOUN
B2
1
kihallgatás
B2
Usage pattern:
an interrogation of [someone] by [an authority]
After several hours of interrogation, the suspect finally agreed to talk.
Többórás kihallgatás után a gyanúsított végül hajlandó volt beszélni.
The lawyer argued that the confession was forced during an illegal interrogation.
Az ügyvéd azzal érvelt, hogy a vallomást egy jogellenes kihallgatás során kényszerítették ki.
Reports described the harsh interrogation methods used on political prisoners.
She requested that her attorney be present for any further interrogation.
The documentary showed footage from inside the police interrogation room.
Learner examples
The man was taken to the station for interrogation.
A férfit kihallgatásra bevitték a rendőrőrsre.
During the interrogation, the police asked the same question many times.
A kihallgatás során a rendőrök sokszor feltették ugyanazt a kérdést.
Her parents’ long interrogation made her feel very uncomfortable.
He stayed calm and polite throughout the whole interrogation.
The suspect said the interrogation was too long and too hard.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "interrogation" with "interview". An "interview" is usually neutral and can be friendly (for a job, a TV show), while an "interrogation" is serious and often stressful, usually by police or other authorities. Another common mistake is using it as a verb (*"to interrogation someone"*), but the correct verb is "to interrogate" and the noun is "interrogation".
Meaning
formal and often intense questioning
Collocations
police interrogation
|custodial interrogation
|intense interrogation
|hours of interrogation
|under interrogation
|interrogation room
Synonyms
questioning (General and neutral; does not always suggest the same level of pressure or formality as "interrogation".)
|
grilling (Informal; suggests very tough or aggressive questioning, often used in everyday speech or about journalists and politicians.)
Antonyms
silence (Represents the absence of questioning or discussion, contrasting with the active and intense questioning in an interrogation.)
Themes
law
|crime
|security
|communication
Definition
A serious and often long time of asking many questions, usually by the police or other officials, to get information or a confession.
A formal, often prolonged process of asking someone many questions, especially by the police, military, or other authorities, usually to obtain information or a confession.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
the interrogation of [a clause] in [a language]
The book devotes a chapter to the syntax of interrogation in spoken English.
A könyv egy fejezetet szentel a kérdésalkotás szintaxisának a beszélt angolban.
In many languages, interrogation is marked by a simple change in word order.
Sok nyelvben a kérdő jelleget egyszerű szórendi változás jelöli.
Yes–no interrogation often relies heavily on intonation rather than extra words.
The researcher compared the patterns of interrogation in child and adult speech.
Some languages use special particles to signal interrogation at the end of a clause.
Learner examples
In English, interrogation usually changes the word order.
Az angolban kérdésalkotáskor általában megváltozik a szórend.
The teacher explained how intonation shows interrogation in this language.
A tanár elmagyarázta, hogyan jelzi az intonáció a kérdő jelleget ebben a nyelvben.
We studied the difference between declaration and interrogation in class.
Some languages add a small word at the end to show interrogation.
This article looks at interrogation in informal speech.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "interrogation" in this sense is common in everyday speech, but it is mainly a technical term used in grammar and linguistics. In normal conversation about sentences, people more often say "question" or "interrogative sentence" than "interrogation".
Meaning
question form in grammar
Collocations
yes-no interrogation
|wh-interrogation
|syntax of interrogation
|interrogation structure
|interrogation in English
Synonyms
interrogative (More common term in grammar for a question form; often used as an adjective or noun referring to sentences, clauses, or pronouns.)
Antonyms
declaration (In grammar, a declarative sentence is the opposite type of sentence: it makes a statement rather than asking a question.)
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Definition
In grammar, the way a sentence is made into a question instead of a normal statement.
In grammar and linguistics, the quality or process of forming a sentence or clause as a question rather than a statement.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
lekérdezés
B2
Usage pattern:
the interrogation of [a device/system] for [data]
The transponder sends its identification code automatically after each radar interrogation.
A transzponder minden radaros lekérdezés után automatikusan elküldi az azonosító kódját.
Frequent interrogation of the database can slow down overall system performance.
Az adatbázis gyakori lekérdezése lelassíthatja a rendszer egészének teljesítményét.
The sensor supports wireless interrogation from up to fifty meters away.
This protocol defines the timing of device interrogation and response.
Remote interrogation of the meter allows the company to read usage without visiting the house.
Learner examples
Each radar interrogation makes the airplane send a code.
Minden radaros lekérdezés hatására a repülőgép elküld egy kódot.
The software logs every interrogation of the main server.
A szoftver naplózza a központi szerver minden lekérdezését.
Remote interrogation lets engineers check the machine from far away.
Heavy interrogation of the database made the website very slow.
The device wakes up only when it receives an interrogation signal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes assume this technical use always has the same emotional or legal feeling as police "interrogation". In technical fields, it is usually neutral and simply means a request for data or a signal exchange.
Meaning
technical signal or query request
Collocations
radar interrogation
|database interrogation
|system interrogation
|remote interrogation
|interrogation signal
Synonyms
query (Common technical term especially in computing and databases; usually implies a structured request for specific data.)
Antonyms
response (Refers to the data or signal sent back, which is the opposite side of the interrogation–response pair.)
Themes
technology
|science
|communication
Definition
In technical fields, sending a signal or question to a machine or system to get information back.
In computing, communications, or electronics, the act of sending a signal or query to a system, device, or sensor in order to obtain data or a response.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interrogation
IPA
GB/ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən/
US/ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - rog - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: interrogation
- Plural: interrogation, interrogations
Word family
Forms
interrogations
noun
Core family
interrogate
verb C1
interrogator
noun
Related words
interrogative
adjective C1
Expressions
custodial interrogation
1/kəstˈoʊdiəl ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
questioning while someone is in custody
Formal questioning of someone who is not free to leave because they are being held by the police or other authorities.
Examples
- The court ruled that the suspect’s rights were violated during custodial interrogation.
- Lawyers debated whether the conversation counted as custodial interrogation under the law.
interrogation room
1/ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən ɹˈum/
fixed phrase
room used for formal questioning
A special room, usually in a police station, where people are asked serious questions by officials.
Examples
- The detective led the witness into the interrogation room.
- The video from the interrogation room was later shown in court.
under interrogation
1/ˈʌndɚ ɪntˌɛɹəɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
being formally questioned by authorities
Being in a situation where the police or other officials are asking you many serious questions.
Examples
- The suspect is currently under interrogation at police headquarters.
- While under interrogation, she asked several times to see her lawyer.