rabble / mob
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rabble / mob
A derogatory term for the uneducated mass of the population, viewed as primitive and uncultured. The term is often used to express contempt for the behavior or opinions of ordinary people.
Der Redner fühlte sich über den Pöbel erhaben und ignorierte die Zwischenrufe.
The speaker felt superior to the rabble and ignored the heckling.
'Der Pöbel' (the rabble/mob) is a very negative and insulting word for a crowd of people. It expresses contempt and is not a neutral term for 'das Volk' (the people) or 'die Leute' (people).
In seinen Memoiren bezeichnete er die Demonstranten verächtlich als „Pöbel“.
In his memoirs, he contemptuously referred to the demonstrators as 'Pöbel' (rabble).
The word 'Pöbel' (rabble/mob) is a collective noun and is always used in the singular, even when it refers to many people. There is no plural form.
Der König fürchtete, dass der Pöbel die Palasttore stürmen würde.
The king feared that the mob would storm the palace gates.
'Pöbel' (rabble/mob) is often combined with verbs that describe uncontrolled or loud behavior. Typical combinations are 'der Pöbel schreit' (the rabble shouts), 'tobt' (rages), or 'grölt' (bellows/chants loudly).
Von seinem Balkon aus sah er, wie der Pöbel auf der Straße tobte.
From his balcony, he saw the mob raging in the street.
people / nation
'das Volk' and 'der Pöbel' can both mean a large group of ordinary people. The important difference lies in the tone. 'das Volk' can be neutral, for example in politics or history. In the meaning 'common people', however, it can also sound slightly condescending. 'der Pöbel' is clearly derogatory and insulting. It does not just say that people are ordinary, but that you despise their behavior or opinions. In normal factual texts, 'das Volk' is much more appropriate; 'der Pöbel' shows a strongly negative attitude.
Der reiche Mann sprach verächtlich vom Pöbel auf der Straße.
The rich man spoke contemptuously of the rabble in the street.
Viele Politiker sagen, dass sie die Sorgen des Volkes ernst nehmen.
Many politicians say that they take the concerns of the people seriously.