predator
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predator
An animal that hunts and eats other animals in order to survive. In biology, it also refers to a specific order of mammals (Carnivora).
Der Löwe ist als König der Tiere bekannt und ein beeindruckendes Raubtier.
The lion is known as the king of animals and is an impressive predator.
'Raubtier' (predator) is made up of 'Raub' (robbery/prey-taking, from 'rauben', meaning to rob, hunt, and capture prey) and 'Tier' (animal). So it is literally a 'predatory animal'.
In der Dokumentation ging es um die Jagdmethoden von Raubtieren.
The documentary was about the hunting methods of predators.
In the biological sense, 'Raubtier' (predator) is often combined with adjectives such as 'gefährlich' (dangerous), 'groß' (large), or 'wild' (wild). People also speak of 'Raubtiere in freier Wildbahn' (predators in the wild).
Der Tiger ist ein großes und elegantes Raubtier.
The tiger is a large and elegant predator.
You can recognize the figurative meaning for a person from the context. If it is about business, a career, or ruthless behavior, it probably refers to a human being.
Sein Chef ist ein echtes Raubtier, wenn es um Geschäftsabschlüsse geht.
His boss is a real predator when it comes to business deals.
When a person is called a 'Raubtier' (predator), it is a strong metaphor with a very negative meaning. It describes a ruthless and aggressive person.
Manche Kritiker nennen solche Manager „Raubtiere des Kapitalismus“.
Some critics call such managers 'predators of capitalism'.
robber
'der Räuber' and 'das Raubtier' are both connected with the word 'Raub' (robbery / predation), but they normally refer to different things. A 'Räuber' is a person who steals something using violence or threats; in stories, it can also be a game character. A 'Raubtier' is an animal that hunts and eats other animals. Only in a figurative sense can 'Raubtier' also mean a very harsh or ruthless person. Learners may confuse the words because they look similar. For people who steal, you say 'Räuber'. For animals like lions or wolves, you say 'Raubtier'.
Im Zoo erklärt die Pflegerin, wie das Raubtier in der Nacht jagt.
At the zoo, the keeper explains how the predator hunts at night.
Der Räuber bedrohte den Verkäufer und nahm das Geld aus der Kasse.
The robber threatened the salesperson and took the money from the cash register.