rauben
to rob
To take something from someone using violence or threats; to commit a robbery.
EXAMPLE
Zwei maskierte Täter haben die Tankstelle geraubt.
Two masked perpetrators robbed the gas station.
rauben
to rob
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Meanings
jemandem etwas rauben
to rob someone of something
In a figurative sense, to take something immaterial away from someone, such as sleep, hope, or their nerves.
EXAMPLE
Die ständige Sorge um ihre Zukunft raubte ihr den Schlaf.
The constant worry about her future robbed her of sleep.
rauben
to abduct
Old-fashioned or literary for to abduct; to take someone away by force.
EXAMPLE
In der alten Sage wird die schöne Prinzessin von einem Drachen geraubt.
In the old legend, the beautiful princess is abducted by a dragon.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'rauben' (to rob) is the basis for the nouns 'der Raub' (the robbery/the act) and 'der Räuber' (the robber/the person). All words in this family refer to taking something by force.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Raub fahndete die Polizei nach dem Räuber.
After the robbery, the police searched for the robber.
Dative and accusative object
'Rauben' (to rob) is very often used with two objects: the person from whom something is taken is in the dative, and the thing that is taken is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb raubte dem Touristen die Kamera.
The thief robbed the tourist of the camera.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'rauben' (to rob) is often combined with immaterial things. Fixed expressions are 'jemandem den Schlaf rauben' (to rob someone of sleep), 'jemandem den letzten Nerv rauben' (to drive someone up the wall), or 'jemandem den Atem rauben' (to take someone's breath away).
EXAMPLE
Der Lärm von der Baustelle raubt mir den letzten Nerv.
The noise from the construction site is driving me up the wall.
Literary style
The meaning 'entführen' (to abduct) is old-fashioned and is now used almost only in fairy tales, legends, or historical novels.
EXAMPLE
In der Legende wird die Königstochter von Piraten geraubt.
In the legend, the king's daughter is abducted by pirates.
Compare with
rauben vs entführen
to kidnap / hijack
Today, entführen is the neutral term for taking a person away against their will. Rauben can be used with the same meaning, but sounds old-fashioned or literary. In a modern report, entführen is therefore appropriate; rauben can fit in deliberately old-fashioned or narrative language.
rauben
Im alten Roman steht, dass bewaffnete Männer die junge Frau raubten.
The old novel says that armed men abducted the young woman.
entführen
Im Polizeibericht steht, dass bewaffnete Männer die junge Frau entführten.
The police report states that armed men kidnapped the young woman.
In real life
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