suicide attacker
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suicide attacker
A person who carries out an attack and deliberately accepts their own death or brings it about as part of the plan in order to cause maximum damage.
Der Selbstmordattentäter zündete den Sprengsatz in einer belebten Einkaufsstraße.
The suicide attacker detonated the explosive device on a busy shopping street.
This long word is easy to understand if you break it down: it consists of 'der Selbstmord' (suicide) and 'der Attentäter' (attacker/assassin). The 's' in between is a linking element (Fugen-s).
Die Nachrichten berichteten über den Anschlag durch einen Selbstmordattentäter.
The news reported on the attack by a suicide attacker.
The second part of the word, 'der Attentäter' (attacker/assassin), comes from 'das Attentat' (the attack/assassination attempt). An 'Attentäter' is therefore a person who carries out an attack or assassination attempt. Understanding this word family helps with many terms in the news.
Auf den Politiker wurde ein Attentat verübt.
An attack was carried out against the politician.
This word is a very specific term that occurs almost exclusively in the news, political discussions, and security reports. It is not a word for everyday language use.
Die Sicherheit am Flughafen wurde nach der Warnung vor Selbstmordattentätern erhöht.
Security at the airport was increased after the warning about suicide attackers.
terrorist
A terrorist is primarily defined by their political, religious, or ideological goal and by the spread of fear. A „Selbstmordattentäter“, by contrast, is defined by the method, in which they deliberately accept or bring about their own death. Both terms can apply to the same attack.
Die Zeitung nannte den Täter einen Selbstmordattentäter, weil er bei dem Anschlag seinen eigenen Tod herbeiführte.
The newspaper called the perpetrator a suicide attacker because he brought about his own death in the attack.
Die Zeitung nannte den Täter einen Terroristen, weil er mit dem Anschlag politische Angst verbreiten wollte.
The newspaper called the perpetrator a terrorist because he wanted to spread fear for political purposes through the attack.
