informer
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informer
A person who secretly gathers information about others and passes it on to an authority, such as the police, an intelligence service, or an employer; the term has a strongly negative connotation.
In der Diktatur gab es überall Spitzel, die die Bevölkerung aushorchten und denunzierten.
In the dictatorship, there were informers everywhere who listened in on the population and denounced people.
This word has a very strong negative connotation. It describes a person who betrays others and who is not trusted. It is a serious insult.
Niemand in der Gruppe wusste, wer der Spitzel war.
No one in the group knew who the informer was.
To express whom an informer works for, you use the preposition 'für' (for) followed by the accusative.
Er arbeitete als Spitzel für die Geheimpolizei.
He worked as an informer for the secret police.
The word 'Spitzel' (informer) is often used in the context of dictatorships, authoritarian regimes, intelligence services, or crime.
Der Roman handelt von einem Agenten, der als Spitzel in einer feindlichen Organisation eingeschleust wird.
The novel is about an agent who is planted as an informer in an enemy organization.
agent
'der Agent' and 'der Spitzel' can both refer to people who secretly gather or pass on information. 'Agent' sounds more neutral or official and fits with intelligence services, governments, or organizations. 'Spitzel' is clearly negative. It refers to someone who secretly observes others and passes information on to an authority, often in an unpleasant or treacherous way. If you are speaking objectively about intelligence services, 'Agent' fits better. If you want to express criticism or distrust, 'Spitzel' is more appropriate.
Im Betrieb glaubten viele, dass ein Spitzel dem Chef alles erzählte.
At the company, many people believed that an informer was telling the boss everything.
Heute trifft sich der Agent mit seiner Kontaktperson in einem Hotel.
Today the agent is meeting his contact at a hotel.