die Attacke
attack
A sudden, often violent physical attack on someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Der Spaziergänger wurde Opfer einer unerwarteten Attacke.
The walker became the victim of an unexpected attack.
die Attacke
attack
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Meanings
die Attacke
attack
A sharp verbal attack or strong criticism.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Rede startete der Politiker eine scharfe Attacke gegen die Opposition.
In his speech, the politician launched a sharp attack against the opposition.
die Attacke
attack
A sudden episode of an illness, such as an asthma attack or a panic attack.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Schock erlitt sie eine heftige Panikattacke.
After the shock, she suffered a severe panic attack.
die Attacke
attack
In sports, a sudden offensive push to gain an advantage.
EXAMPLE
Kurz vor dem Ziel startete der Radrennfahrer die entscheidende Attacke.
Shortly before the finish line, the cyclist launched the decisive attack.
Usage tips
Correct preposition
An 'Attacke' (attack) is always directed 'auf' (at/on) someone or something. This preposition takes the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Löwin startete eine Attacke auf das Gnu.
The lioness launched an attack on the wildebeest.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with 'Attacke' (attack) are 'eine Attacke starten' (to launch an attack), 'eine Attacke beginnen' (to begin an attack), or 'eine Attacke abwehren' (to fend off an attack). In political contexts, you also hear 'eine Attacke reiten' (to launch/mount an attack).
EXAMPLE
Der Boxer konnte die Attacke seines Gegners erfolgreich abwehren.
The boxer was able to successfully fend off his opponent's attack.
Word family
'Die Attacke' (the attack) belongs to the word family of the verb 'attackieren' (to attack). The sentence 'Er startet eine Attacke' (He launches an attack) has a very similar meaning to 'Er attackiert' (He attacks).
EXAMPLE
Der Hund hat den Postboten attackiert.
The dog attacked the mail carrier.
Medical attacks
In medical contexts, 'Attacke' (attack) is often used as the second part of a compound noun to describe a sudden episode. The best-known examples are 'die Panikattacke' (panic attack) and 'die Asthma-Attacke' (asthma attack).
EXAMPLE
Bei einer Panikattacke kann die Atmung sehr schnell werden.
During a panic attack, breathing can become very fast.
Compare with
Attacke vs Angriff
attack
Angriff and Attacke can both refer to a violent action against someone. Angriff is the more general term; Attacke usually emphasizes that the action is sudden, intense, and concentrated in a brief moment. Both words can therefore be appropriate for the same event.
Attacke
Eine Kamera nahm die plötzliche und heftige Attacke auf den Wachmann auf.
A camera recorded the sudden and intense attack on the security guard.
Angriff
Eine Kamera nahm den Angriff auf den Wachmann auf.
A camera recorded the attack on the security guard.
In real life
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