01
der Runner
runner
A person who runs, especially as a sport or hobby. The German word is 'Läufer' (runner).
example
Beim Marathon waren über zehntausend Runner am Start.
At the marathon, over ten thousand runners were at the starting line.
der Runner
runner
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Runner' is a loanword from English. In German, it is used mainly in youth language and in certain specialist jargons.
EXAMPLE
Die Runner bereiteten sich auf den Start des City-Laufs vor.
The runners prepared for the start of the city race.
Context: sports
In the context of sports and fitness, 'Runner' refers to a person who runs or jogs. You often hear it at running events such as a marathon.
EXAMPLE
Im Park trifft man morgens viele Runner.
In the park, you meet many runners in the morning.
Context: media industry
In film, television, or event production, a 'Runner' is an assistant responsible for errands and small organizational tasks. This is a fixed job title in the industry.
EXAMPLE
Als Runner beim Filmset musste ich die Schauspieler vom Hotel abholen.
As a runner on the film set, I had to pick up the actors from the hotel.
Register: jargon
This meaning is pure jargon from the drug scene or from police reports. It is not used in normal everyday life and describes a person who transports drugs.
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler observierten den bekannten Runner seit Wochen.
The investigators had been observing the known runner for weeks.
Compare with
Runner vs Läufer
runner / runner rug / bishop
'der Läufer' and 'der Runner' can both mean a person who runs, especially as a sport or hobby. 'der Läufer' is the normal German word and fits in almost all situations. 'der Runner' is influenced by English and sounds more modern, sporty, or advertising-like. Learners may confuse the words because they can mean the same thing in this sense. If you want to speak neutral, natural German, 'Läufer' is usually the safe choice.
Runner
Im Sportgeschäft sucht der Runner neue Schuhe für den Marathon.
At the sporting goods store, the runner is looking for new shoes for the marathon.
Läufer
Nach zehn Kilometern war der Läufer müde, aber zufrieden.
After ten kilometers, the runner was tired but satisfied.
In real life
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