goalkeeper
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goalkeeper
A player in a team sport such as soccer, handball, or ice hockey whose main task is to defend their own goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal.
Der Torhüter parierte den Elfmeter mit einer spektakulären Parade.
The goalkeeper saved the penalty with a spectacular save.
The word is made up of 'das Tor' (the goal) and the verb 'hüten' (to guard). A 'Torhüter' (goalkeeper) is therefore literally a person who 'hütet' (guards) the goal, meaning watches over and protects it.
Der Hirte hütet seine Schafe auf der Weide.
The shepherd watches over his sheep in the pasture.
In a sports context, 'der Torhüter' (the goalkeeper) is often combined with certain verbs that describe his actions. These include 'halten' (to save/hold) a ball, 'parieren' (to save) a shot, or 'verhindern' (to prevent) a goal against the team.
Der Torhüter konnte den harten Schuss nicht halten.
The goalkeeper couldn't save the powerful shot.
The word 'Torhüter' (goalkeeper) is the official term and the one used in most contexts. You find it in sports reports, official rules, and formal language.
Die Mannschaft sucht einen neuen Torhüter für die nächste Saison.
The team is looking for a new goalkeeper for next season.
defender / defense attorney
'der Verteidiger' and 'der Torhüter' can both have to do with protecting your own goal in sports. A defender normally plays in front of the goal and stops opposing players. The goalkeeper is the person directly in the goal; 'Torhüter' therefore means the same as 'Torwart', but sounds a little more formal or more like sports terminology. The words can be confused because both play defensively. In practice: the person who stands in the goal is the 'Torhüter'. The person who defends in front of it is a 'Verteidiger'.
Der Torhüter blieb ruhig und fing den hohen Ball sicher.
The goalkeeper stayed calm and safely caught the high ball.
Sie spielt als Verteidigerin, weil sie stark im Zweikampf ist.
She plays as a defender because she is strong in one-on-one challenges.