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der Bandit
bandit
An armed robber who often attacks and robs people as a member of a gang.
example
Die Postkutsche wurde von einer Gruppe von Banditen überfallen.
The stagecoach was attacked by a group of bandits.
der Bandit
bandit
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning depends on the tone and situation. The literal meaning describes a criminal and is used in a serious context. The figurative meaning is colloquial, joking, and often affectionate.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte die Banditen nach einer langen Verfolgung festnehmen.
The police were able to arrest the bandits after a long chase.
Register and usage
The term 'Bandit' (little rascal) for a person, especially a child, is purely colloquial and joking. It expresses that someone is cheeky or clever, but not actually criminal.
EXAMPLE
Mein Neffe ist ein kleiner Bandit, der immer neue Streiche ausheckt.
My nephew is a little rascal who is always coming up with new pranks.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning as a robber, 'Bandit' (bandit) is often used in the plural and in connection with the word 'Bande' (gang). A typical formulation is 'eine Bande von Banditen' (a gang of bandits).
EXAMPLE
Im Film kämpft der Held gegen eine ganze Bande von Banditen.
In the film, the hero fights against a whole gang of bandits.
Compare with
Bandit vs Verbrecher
criminal
'der Verbrecher' and 'der Bandit' can both refer to a criminal person. 'Verbrecher' is more general and means someone who has committed a serious crime. 'Bandit' is narrower: it often means an armed robber, sometimes as part of a gang. The word also sounds somewhat narrative or old-fashioned, for example in adventure or Western stories. In addition, 'Bandit' can be used colloquially and jokingly for a cheeky child or a clever person. The risk of confusion is that both words sound criminal. For real serious crimes, 'Verbrecher' is usually more neutral and more precise; for armed robbers or joking situations, 'Bandit' is more suitable.
Bandit
Im alten Western überfallen die Banditen einen Zug.
In the old Western, the bandits rob a train.
Verbrecher
Nach dem Einbruch suchte die Polizei den Verbrecher in der ganzen Stadt.
After the break-in, the police searched for the criminal throughout the city.
In real life
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