01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
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 Fahrer
driver
'der Fahrer' and 'der Radfahrer' both refer to people who use or operate a vehicle. However, 'der Fahrer' is much more general: it can be a person in a car, bus, truck, train, on a motorcycle, or even on a bicycle. 'der Radfahrer' specifically means a person who rides a bicycle. The words can be confused because a cyclist is also a type of driver or rider. If the bicycle is important, say 'Radfahrer'. If the vehicle is not named exactly, or if it is about a car, bus, or similar vehicle, 'Fahrer' fits better.
Radfahrer
Nach der Nachricht fuhr Anton als Radfahrer besonders vorsichtig durch die Stadt.
After the news, Anton rode through the city especially carefully as a cyclist.
Fahrer
Der Fahrer des Busses wartet, bis alle eingestiegen sind.
The bus driver waits until everyone has boarded.
In real life
Loading video examples...