01
der Raub
robbery
The violent or secret taking of someone else's property; a serious theft.
example
Der bewaffnete Raub der Bank wurde von Überwachungskameras aufgezeichnet.
The armed robbery of the bank was recorded by surveillance cameras.
der Raub
robbery
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Raub' (robbery) is directly connected to the verb 'rauben' (to rob). When someone robs something, that person commits a 'Raub' (robbery).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei untersucht den Raub und sucht nach den Tätern, die die Juwelen geraubt haben.
The police are investigating the robbery and searching for the perpetrators who stole the jewels.
Common compounds
'Raub' (robbery/theft) is a common base word in compound nouns that describe a specific type of theft or robbery. Examples are 'Bankraub' (bank robbery), 'Kunstraub' (art theft), or 'Datenraub' (data theft).
EXAMPLE
Der spektakuläre Kunstraub aus dem Museum beherrschte die Schlagzeilen.
The spectacular art theft from the museum dominated the headlines.
Typical collocations
In a legal or police context, the phrase 'einen Raub begehen' (to commit a robbery) is often used. People also speak of a 'bewaffneter Raub' (armed robbery) or a 'Raub auf' (robbery targeting) a specific target.
EXAMPLE
Die Täter begingen einen Raub auf einen Geldtransporter.
The perpetrators committed a robbery targeting a cash transport vehicle.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, 'Raub' (theft) is often used with the genitive or the preposition 'an' (+ dative) to describe the loss of something abstract. Typical phrases are 'der Raub der Zeit' (the theft of time) or 'ein Raub an meinen Nerven' (a drain on my nerves).
EXAMPLE
Ständige Meetings ohne Ergebnis sind ein Raub meiner wertvollen Arbeitszeit.
Constant meetings without results are a theft of my valuable working time.
Compare with
Raub vs Verlust
loss
'der Verlust' and 'der Raub' can both have to do with something being gone. The most important difference is: 'der Verlust' describes the result, meaning that you no longer have something. 'Der Raub' describes the action or cause, when someone takes something away violently or secretly. In a figurative sense, 'Raub' can also mean that time, energy, or peace is taken away from someone. In that case, it is stronger and more figurative than 'Verlust'.
Raub
Nach dem Raub vor dem Bahnhof rief der Verkäufer sofort die Polizei.
After the robbery outside the train station, the shopkeeper immediately called the police.
Verlust
Der Verlust ihres Handys ärgerte Lisa den ganzen Tag.
The loss of her phone annoyed Lisa all day.
In real life
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