01
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
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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 nehmen
to take
'nehmen' and 'rauben' both have to do with something moving from one person to another. The important difference is: 'nehmen' is neutral. You can take something if it is allowed or if it is simply lying on the table. 'rauben' means that someone takes something away by force or threat. That is why 'rauben' fits crimes, not normal everyday situations. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases something is taken away. Memory aid: you can take a bag with 'nehmen', but you only rob someone of it with 'rauben' if you use force or threats.
rauben
Der Mann raubte der Frau auf der Straße die Handtasche.
The man robbed the woman of her handbag on the street.
nehmen
Ich nehme nur meinen Rucksack und gehe dann zur Arbeit.
I'll just take my backpack and then go to work.
In real life
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