advocate / lawyer
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lawyer
An outdated or formal term for a lawyer. A person who is legally trained to represent clients in court.
In dem alten Roman beauftragte der Angeklagte einen berühmten Advokaten zu seiner Verteidigung.
In the old novel, the defendant hired a famous lawyer for his defense.
The word 'Advokat' comes from the Latin 'advocatus', meaning 'the one called in'. This explains the formal and slightly outdated sound of the word in German.
Er trat als Advokat für eine gerechtere Sozialpolitik auf.
He appeared as an advocate for a fairer social policy.
In the meaning 'Rechtsanwalt' (lawyer), 'Advokat' is outdated today. You mainly find it in historical novels, films, or in a very formal, almost ironic context.
Der alte Herr sprach immer noch von seinem Advokaten, wenn er seinen Anwalt meinte.
The old gentleman still spoke of his advocate when he meant his lawyer.
When 'Advokat' is used figuratively, it is often followed by a genitive or a 'für' (for) construction that names the cause being supported. This shows that the profession of lawyer is not meant.
Sie ist eine bekannte Advokatin der Frauenrechte.
She is a well-known advocate of women's rights.
A common construction is 'sich zum Advokaten von jemandem/etwas machen' (to make oneself an advocate of someone/something). It means that you actively and publicly support a person or a cause.
Der Journalist machte sich zum Advokaten der unterdrückten Minderheit.
The journalist became an advocate for the oppressed minority.
lawyer
'der Anwalt' and 'der Advokat' can both mean a person who gives legal advice or represents someone in court. 'Anwalt' is the normal modern word in everyday life and in the profession. 'Advokat' sounds outdated or very formal and is used much less often in modern German. Both words can also figuratively mean an advocate for a cause. Learners may confuse them because the meaning is similar. In normal conversations, people almost always say 'Anwalt' or 'Anwältin'.
In seiner Rede zeigte er sich als Advokat der freien Bildung.
In his speech, he presented himself as an advocate for free education.
Nach dem Unfall spricht die Familie mit einem Anwalt.
After the accident, the family talks to a lawyer.