nounnoun
der Attentäter, –
assassin
The German word "Attentäter" is a noun meaning "assassin" or "would-be assassin".
- It is made up of two parts:
- Attentat: meaning "assassination" or "attack" (specifically a politically motivated one).
- -äter: a suffix often used to denote a person who performs an action (similar to "-er" in English).
Similar words:
- Mörder (murderer)
- Killer (killer)
- Terrorist (terrorist)
Difference:
- An Attentäter specifically refers to someone who attempts or carries out a politically or ideologically motivated murder—usually a public figure.
- Mörder is more general, meaning anyone who kills unlawfully.
- Killer is informal and broad.
- Terrorist focuses on using violence to instill fear for political aims but may not always mean assassination.
Make “Attentäter” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Der Attentäter wurde gefasst.noun
The assassin was caught.
Ein Attentäter plante einen Anschlag, konnte aber rechtzeitig gestoppt werden.noun
An assassin planned an attack but was stopped in time.
Ein Attentäter plant heimlich seine Tat.noun
An assassin secretly plans his deed.
Attentäter fliehen oft unerkannt.noun
Assassins often flee unnoticed.
Der Attentäter wurde geschnappt.noun
The assassin was caught.
Attentäter planen oft im Geheimen.noun
Assassins often plot in secret.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad