01
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
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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 Held
hero
'der Held' and 'der Lebensretter' can both describe a person who has done something very brave. But a lifesaver is more specific: they really saved someone's life in a dangerous situation. A hero can also be someone who acts bravely, helps others, or is admired in a story, without necessarily saving a life. So you can often call a lifesaver a hero, but not every hero is a lifesaver.
Lebensretter
Der Lebensretter zog das Kind aus dem kalten Wasser.
The lifesaver pulled the child out of the cold water.
Held
Nach dem Brand nannten viele Menschen den Feuerwehrmann einen Helden.
After the fire, many people called the firefighter a hero.
In real life
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