vampire
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vampire
A mythological figure, usually a reanimated dead person, who feeds on the blood of living people in order to survive. Vampires are a common motif in horror literature and films.
In dem Film verwandelt sich der Held nach einem Biss in einen Vampir.
In the film, the hero turns into a vampire after being bitten.
vampire
In a figurative sense, a person who exploits and drains others financially, emotionally, or energetically. The term is used as a derogatory metaphor.
Mit seiner ständigen Gier nach Geld und Aufmerksamkeit ist er ein echter Vampir.
With his constant greed for money and attention, he is a real vampire.
vampire bat
In zoology, a term for the vampire bat, a species of bat that feeds on the blood of other animals.
In Südamerika gibt es Vampire, die nachts das Blut von Rindern saugen.
In South America, there are vampire bats that suck the blood of cattle at night.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Vampir' (vampire) from the context. If the text is about myths, horror, or Dracula, it means the mythical creature. If it is about animals and biology, it means the vampire bat. In discussions about people and relationships, the word is used metaphorically for exploiters.
Für Halloween hat er sich als Vampir verkleidet.
For Halloween, he dressed up as a vampire.
In connection with the mythological figure, certain verbs are often used. Typical ones are 'Blut saugen' (to suck blood), 'jemanden beißen' (to bite someone), or 'sich in einen Vampir verwandeln' (to turn into a vampire).
Der Legende nach können Vampire kein Sonnenlicht ertragen.
According to legend, vampires cannot tolerate sunlight.
When a person is called a 'Vampir' (vampire), it is a strong metaphor. It means that this person 'sucks' something important out of others, for example money, time, attention, or emotional energy.
Pass auf, dass er dich nicht ausnutzt – er ist ein finanzieller Vampir.
Watch out that he doesn't take advantage of you — he's a financial vampire.
In biology, 'der Vampir' (the vampire) is a short form of 'die Vampirfledermaus' (the vampire bat). In this context, the word is a factual, scientific term and not a mythical creature.
Forscher untersuchen das Blutgerinnungsmittel im Speichel des Vampirs.
Researchers are studying the anticoagulant in the vampire bat's saliva.
