der Verlierer
loser
A person, team, or party that does not win in a competition, fight, or game.
EXAMPLE
Der Verlierer des Finales gratulierte dem Sieger fair.
The loser of the final fairly congratulated the winner.
der Verlierer
loser
der Verlierer, die Verlierer
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Meanings
der Verlierer
loser
Colloquial and derogatory term for a person who is generally seen as unsuccessful or incapable in life.
EXAMPLE
Seit er seinen Job verloren hat, fühlt er sich wie ein totaler Verlierer.
Since he lost his job, he feels like a total loser.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Verlierer, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Verlierer |
| genitive | des Verlierers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Verlierer | die Verlierer |
| accusative | den Verlierer | die Verlierer |
| dative | dem Verlierer | den Verlierern |
| genitive | des Verlierers | der Verlierer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Verlierer' (the loser) is derived directly from the verb 'verlieren' (to lose). It refers to the person who loses something, whether a game or respect in life.
EXAMPLE
Wer bei diesem Kartenspiel verliert, muss den Tisch abräumen.
Whoever loses at this card game has to clear the table.
Context: competition
In this meaning, 'Verlierer' (loser) always appears in the context of a specific competition, game, or election. The opposite is 'der Sieger' (the winner).
EXAMPLE
Am Ende des Turniers gab es einen Sieger und viele faire Verlierer.
At the end of the tournament, there was one winner and many fair losers.
Register: colloquial
This meaning is colloquial and has a strongly derogatory (negative) connotation. It is an insult or a very negative self-description.
EXAMPLE
Nenn mich nicht immer einen Verlierer, nur weil mir etwas nicht gelingt!
Don't always call me a loser just because I can't manage something!
Typical collocations
In the derogatory meaning, 'Verlierer' (loser) is often intensified with adjectives like 'totaler' (total), 'absoluter' (absolute), or 'geborener' (born).
EXAMPLE
Er bemüht sich gar nicht und benimmt sich wie ein absoluter Verlierer.
He doesn't even try and behaves like an absolute loser.
Compare with
Verlierer vs Loser
loser
Verlierer can neutrally refer to the person who does not win a competition. Loser is colloquial and usually judges an unsuccessful person disparagingly. Verlierer fits the objective result of a game; Loser is more likely to be used as a negative judgment of a person.
Verlierer
Der Reporter bezeichnete den Zweitplatzierten sachlich als Verlierer des Finales.
The reporter neutrally described the runner-up as the loser of the final.
Loser
Ein wütender Zuschauer beschimpfte den Zweitplatzierten nach dem Finale als Loser.
An angry spectator called the runner-up a loser after the final.
In real life
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