der Räuber, –
robber
Eine Person, die anderen mit Gewalt oder Drohungen Dinge wegnimmt.
Definition & meaning
The word "Räuber" primarily refers to a person who takes property from others by using force, violence, or threats. In English, it is most commonly translated as "robber," "bandit," or "brigand."
In a biological context, the term is used to describe a predator—an animal that hunts, kills, and eats other animals.
In a figurative sense, the word can be used to describe something that "robs" a person of a specific resource. For example, a "Zeiträuber" is something or someone that consumes a lot of one's time.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a masculine noun (der Räuber). A notable grammatical feature is that the plural form remains the same as the singular form (die Räuber). The feminine version of the word is "die Räuberin."
It is derived from the German verb rauben, which means "to rob" or "to plunder." Etymologically, it originates from the Middle High German "roubære" and the Old High German "roubāri." These terms are related to the concept of "Raub" (robbery/prey).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms (Criminal context): Bandit, Dieb, Ganove, Wegelagerer, Plünderer.
Synonyms (Biological context): Raubtier, Beutegreifer, Fleischfresser.
Antonyms: Opfer (victim), Bestohlener (the person who was robbed), Beute (prey), Gejagter (the hunted).
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Examples
Der Räuber flieht vor der Polizei.noun
The robber is fleeing from the police.
Ein Räuber hat die Bank ausgeraubt.noun
A robber robbed the bank.
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