gamer / gambler
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gamer
Colloquial for a person who plays computer or video games intensely and passionately.
Mein Bruder ist ein totaler Zocker und verbringt jedes Wochenende vor seiner Konsole.
My brother is a total gamer and spends every weekend in front of his console.
gambler / speculator
A person who gambles or engages in risky financial speculation in order to win a lot of money quickly.
An der Börse hat er als Zocker ein Vermögen gemacht und wieder verloren.
On the stock market, he made and lost a fortune as a speculator.
The noun 'der Zocker' (gamer/gambler) is derived directly from the colloquial verb 'zocken'. This verb means both 'to gamble' and 'to play computer/video games'.
Er zockt am liebsten Strategiespiele am PC.
He prefers playing strategy games on the PC.
The context tells you whether a computer gamer or a gambler is meant. Words like 'Konsole' (console), 'PC' (PC), or 'Videospiel' (video game) point to a gamer, while 'Börse' (stock market), 'Aktien' (stocks), or 'Casino' (casino) point to a speculator.
Als Zocker verbringt sie ihre Abende am liebsten online mit Freunden.
As a gamer, she likes spending her evenings online with friends.
The word 'Zocker' is colloquial in both meanings. In more formal contexts, you would be more likely to say 'Computerspieler' (computer gamer) or 'Spekulant' (speculator).
In der Zeitung stand ein Artikel über professionelle Zocker in der E-Sport-Szene.
There was an article in the newspaper about professional gamers in the e-sports scene.
In the context of video games, 'Zocker' is often combined with adjectives that describe intensity. Typical phrases are 'ein echter Zocker' (a real gamer), 'ein leidenschaftlicher Zocker' (a passionate gamer), or 'ein Hardcore-Zocker' (a hardcore gamer).
Mein Neffe ist ein echter Zocker, er kennt jedes neue Spiel.
My nephew is a real gamer; he knows every new game.
player
Spieler and Zocker can both refer to a person who plays computer or video games. Spieler is the neutral, broader term, while Zocker is colloquial and suggests intense, passionate gaming. Spieler suits an objective description, while Zocker can fit a deliberately casual description.
Der Zocker beendet nach einer langen Nacht sein Computerspiel.
After a long night, the gamer finishes playing his computer game.
Der Spieler beendet nach einer Stunde sein Computerspiel.
The player finishes playing his computer game after an hour.
