der Lebensretter
lifesaver
A person who saves another person's life in a life-threatening situation.
EXAMPLE
Der Feuerwehrmann wurde als Held und Lebensretter gefeiert.
The firefighter was celebrated as a hero and lifesaver.
der Lebensretter
lifesaver
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Meanings
der Lebensretter
lifesaver
Colloquially, a thing or person that gets someone out of a very difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Kaffee am Morgen ist mein täglicher Lebensretter.
This morning coffee is my daily lifesaver.
der Lebensretter
lifeguard
A person who monitors swimming pools or beaches professionally or as a volunteer in order to prevent drowning accidents; a lifeguard.
EXAMPLE
Der Lebensretter pfiff, als die Kinder zu weit hinausschwammen.
The lifeguard blew his whistle when the children swam too far out.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is a compound of 'Leben' (life) and 'Retter' (rescuer). A 'Retter' is a person who rescues someone. So a 'Lebensretter' (lifesaver) is literally a person who saves a life.
EXAMPLE
Durch die schnelle Hilfe wurde der Sanitäter zum Lebensretter.
Through his quick help, the paramedic became a lifesaver.
Context clue
You can recognize the colloquial meaning by the fact that it often refers to a thing or person that helps in a situation that is not life-threatening but very unpleasant.
EXAMPLE
Danke für den Regenschirm, du bist mein Lebensretter!
Thanks for the umbrella, you're my lifesaver!
Context clue
The meaning 'Rettungsschwimmer' (lifeguard) becomes clear from the context. Watch for words like 'Schwimmbad' (swimming pool), 'Strand' (beach), 'See' (lake), or 'ertrinken' (to drown).
EXAMPLE
Am Badesee passte ein Lebensretter auf die Schwimmer auf.
At the swimming lake, a lifeguard watched over the swimmers.
Register
Using the word for help in a difficult situation is clearly colloquial. In formal texts, this metaphorical meaning would be avoided.
EXAMPLE
Diese Kopfschmerztablette ist heute mein Lebensretter.
This headache tablet is my lifesaver today.
Compare with
Lebensretter vs Retter
rescuer / savior
Retter and Lebensretter can both refer to a person who frees someone from danger. Lebensretter, however, explicitly makes clear that a person’s life was in danger, whereas Retter also fits less serious emergencies. Use Lebensretter when saving a life is the focus; otherwise, use Retter.
Lebensretter
Der Lebensretter zog den bewusstlosen Schwimmer aus dem See.
The lifesaver pulled the unconscious swimmer out of the lake.
Retter
Der Retter half dem erschöpften Wanderer aus der Schlucht.
The rescuer helped the exhausted hiker out of the ravine.
In real life
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