01
der Räuber
robber
A person who steals other people's property using violence or threats.
example
Die Polizei konnte die Bankräuber nach einer Verfolgungsjagd festnehmen.
The police were able to arrest the bank robbers after a chase.
der Räuber
robber
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun "der Räuber" (the robber) is derived directly from the verb "rauben" (to rob). A Räuber is therefore a person who robs, that is, steals by force.
EXAMPLE
Die Bande raubte mehrere Juweliergeschäfte aus.
The gang robbed several jewelry stores.
Compound nouns
"Räuber" is often used as the second part of compound words to specify the type of robbery. This creates nouns such as "Bankräuber" (bank robber), "Seeräuber" (pirate), or "Grabräuber" (grave robber).
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte handelt von gefährlichen Seeräubern auf dem Meer.
The story is about dangerous pirates at sea.
Typical expression
In the context of children's games, the fixed combination "Räuber und Gendarm" (Cops and Robbers) is very well known. It is a classic tag game for children.
EXAMPLE
Draußen im Park spielen die Kinder „Räuber und Gendarm“.
Outside in the park, the children are playing "Räuber und Gendarm" (Cops and Robbers).
Compare with
Räuber vs Verbrecher
criminal
'Verbrecher' and 'Räuber' can both describe a person who does something criminal. The difference lies in the type of act. 'Verbrecher' is more general and means someone who has committed a serious crime. That can be many different things. 'Räuber' is more specific: a robber takes something from other people and uses violence or threats to do so. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Räuber' can also be a 'Verbrecher'. But not every 'Verbrecher' is a 'Räuber'.
Räuber
Der Räuber bedrohte den Verkäufer und nahm das Geld aus der Kasse.
The robber threatened the shop assistant and took the money from the register.
Verbrecher
Die Polizei suchte den Verbrecher nach dem Banküberfall in der ganzen Stadt.
The police searched the whole city for the criminal after the bank robbery.
In real life
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