der Renner
hit
A product, song, film, or event that is extraordinarily popular and very successful.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Smartphone ist schon jetzt der absolute Renner.
The new smartphone is already an absolute hit.
der Renner
hit / racehorse
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Meanings
der Renner
racehorse
A horse that has been specially bred and trained for horse racing.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Auktion wurde ein vielversprechender junger Renner für eine hohe Summe verkauft.
At the auction, a promising young racehorse was sold for a large sum.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Renner' (hit / racehorse) is derived from the verb 'rennen' (to run). A racehorse is an animal that runs fast. A product that is 'der Renner' (a hit) is, figuratively speaking, 'running' because it sells very quickly.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Spiel ist bei Kindern gerade der absolute Renner.
This game is an absolute hit with children right now.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear. If people are talking about products, films, or music, it means a bestseller or hit. If the topic is horses, breeding, or horse racing, it means a racehorse.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Krimi der Autorin ist ein echter Renner.
The author's new crime novel is a real hit.
Register
In the meaning 'bestseller' or 'hit', 'der Renner' is a colloquial expression. It is often used in spoken language and informal texts.
EXAMPLE
Die Lederjacken waren in den 80ern ein echter Renner.
Leather jackets were a real hit in the 80s.
Typical collocations
'Renner' is often intensified with adjectives such as 'absolut' (absolute), 'echt' (real), or 'groß' (big). Another typical expression is 'zum Renner werden' (to become a hit).
EXAMPLE
Das Lied wurde über den Sommer zum großen Renner.
The song became a big hit over the summer.
Compare with
Renner vs Hit
hit
A very successful song can be both a Hit and a Renner. Hit is the usual term for a popular piece of music, whereas Renner especially emphasizes that something is extremely well received by the public or in high demand.
Renner
Das neue Lied ist bei den Gästen auf jeder Feier der Renner.
The new song is the hit with the guests at every party.
Hit
Das neue Lied wurde innerhalb weniger Wochen zum internationalen Hit.
The new song became an international hit within a few weeks.
In real life
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