der Radfahrer
cyclist
A person who rides a bicycle.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem neuen Radweg sind viele Radfahrer unterwegs.
Many cyclists are out on the new bike path.
der Radfahrer
cyclist
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Meanings
der Radfahrer
toadying bully
In a figurative, derogatory sense, a person who behaves submissively toward superiors ('nach oben buckeln' — to bow upward) but treats their subordinates badly ('nach unten treten' — to kick downward).
EXAMPLE
Er ist als Chef ein typischer Radfahrer: Bei seinem eigenen Vorgesetzten ist er überfreundlich, aber seine Mitarbeiter behandelt er von oben herab.
As a boss, he is a typical toadying bully: he is overly friendly to his own superior, but treats his employees condescendingly.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'das Rad' (here in the sense of bicycle) and 'der Fahrer' (driver/rider). So it literally describes a person who rides a bike.
EXAMPLE
Achtung, hier überqueren oft Radfahrer die Straße.
Careful, cyclists often cross the road here.
Figurative meaning
The figurative meaning is based on the body position when cycling: you hunch upward ('buckelt nach oben' — submissive toward superiors) and kick downward ('tritt nach unten' — condescending toward subordinates). This image helps you remember the meaning.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verhalten ist typisch für einen Radfahrer: zu den Chefs nett, zu uns unmöglich.
His behavior is typical of a toadying bully: nice to the bosses, impossible to us.
Negative meaning
In the figurative meaning, 'Radfahrer' (toadying bully) is always a derogatory description of a character trait. It is a criticism or an insult, not a neutral statement.
EXAMPLE
Niemand im Team mag ihn, weil er so ein Radfahrer ist.
Nobody on the team likes him because he is such a toadying bully.
Compare with
Radfahrer vs Radler
cyclist / shandy
Radfahrer and Radler can both refer to a person on a bicycle. Radfahrer is unambiguous, while Radler without suitable context can also be understood as the name of a beer-and-lemonade drink. Radfahrer is therefore clearer when misunderstandings are possible.
Radfahrer
Der Radfahrer wartet mit seinem Fahrrad vor dem Café.
The cyclist is waiting with his bicycle in front of the café.
Radler
Der Radler wartet mit seinem Fahrrad vor dem Café.
The cyclist is waiting with his bicycle in front of the café.
In real life
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