sniper
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sniper
A specially trained soldier or police officer who is trained to hit targets from a great distance with high precision.
Der Scharfschütze lag getarnt auf dem Dach und beobachtete die Umgebung durch sein Zielfernrohr.
The sniper lay camouflaged on the roof and observed the surroundings through his rifle scope.
The word is made up of the adjective 'scharf' (sharp) and the noun 'Schütze' (shooter/marksman). Here, 'scharf' does not mean 'spicy,' but 'precise' or 'exact' (as in 'scharfe Augen' — sharp eyes). A 'Schütze' is someone who shoots.
Nur die besten Soldaten werden zu Scharfschützen ausgebildet.
Only the best soldiers are trained as snipers.
The base word 'der Schütze' (shooter/marksman) is derived directly from the verb 'schießen' (to shoot). Someone who shoots is a 'Schütze'. This connection helps you understand the meaning.
Auf dem Schützenfest üben die Schützen das Schießen auf Ziele.
At the shooting festival, the marksmen practice shooting at targets.
Common combinations are 'ein Scharfschütze auf dem Dach' (a sniper on the roof), 'jemanden ins Visier nehmen' (to take aim at someone), or the related 'Scharfschützengewehr' (sniper rifle). The context is usually military or police-related.
Der Täter wurde von einem Scharfschützen ins Visier genommen.
The perpetrator was taken into the sights of a sniper.
