das  Opfer

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɔpfɐ/

🔍 What exactly does 'das Opfer' mean?

The German word das Opfer has two main meanings:

1. Person suffering harm (Victim): This refers to a person (less commonly an animal or thing) who is harmed or killed due to a crime, accident, disaster, illness, or other negative circumstances. Example: das Verkehrsopfer (traffic victim), das Verbrechensopfer (crime victim).
2. Offering or Sacrifice: This denotes something voluntarily given or given up, often for religious, ritual, or idealistic reasons. It can be material goods, animals, or abstract things like time or effort. Example: ein Opfer für die Götter bringen (to make a sacrifice to the gods), ein finanzielles Opfer leisten (to make a financial sacrifice).

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

📚 Grammar of 'das Opfer' in Detail

Das Opfer is a noun of neuter gender. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Das Opfer des Überfalls wurde ins Krankenhaus gebracht.
   (The victim of the robbery was taken to the hospital.)
2. Die Organisation kümmert sich um die Opfer der Flutkatastrophe.
   (The organization takes care of the victims of the flood disaster.)
3. Er brachte ein großes finanzielles Opfer, um das Projekt zu unterstützen.
   (He made a big financial sacrifice to support the project.)
4. In alten Kulturen wurden den Göttern Tieropfer dargebracht.
   (In ancient cultures, animal sacrifices were offered to the gods.)

🗣️ How to use 'das Opfer'?

The usage of das Opfer heavily depends on the intended meaning:

• As 'person suffering harm' (Victim): This usage is very common in news, police reports, legal contexts, and general language when discussing accidents or crimes. Common terms include Verkehrsopfer (traffic victims), Brandopfer (fire victims), Gewaltopfer (victims of violence), Betrugsopfer (fraud victims), etc. It can also be used metaphorically (e.g., Opfer der Umstände - victim of circumstances).
• As 'offering/sacrifice': This meaning is more common in religious, historical, or ethical contexts. One speaks of 'ein Opfer bringen' (to make a sacrifice) or 'etwas opfern' (to sacrifice something). Figuratively, it also means giving up something important (e.g., 'ein Opfer bringen für' the family/career etc.).

🚨 Colloquially, 'Opfer' is sometimes used derogatorily as an insult for someone perceived as weak or naive. This usage is disrespectful and should be avoided.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Opfer'

Article Mnemonic: Think of things that are often sacrificed or are victims – maybe das Lamm (the lamb) or das Kind (the child). Many neutral nouns ('das' words) end in -er, but 'Opfer' is one to remember specifically. Or imagine: "Das is unfortunate for das Opfer."

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone having to offer (sounds a bit like Opfer) up something valuable (a sacrifice) because they were the victim of a bad situation. The sound connects to the 'offering' meaning, linking it to the 'victim' state.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, potentially misleading words:

• Die Opferung: Refers specifically to the act of sacrificing (the action), whereas 'das Opfer' is the thing or person being sacrificed or the victim.

😂 A little joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie das Opfer mit einem Stuhl geschlagen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Weil der Tisch zu schwer war!"

--- Translation ---

The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you hit the victim with a chair?"
The defendant replies: "Because the table was too heavy!"

✍️ Poem about 'das Opfer'

Ein Schicksalsschlag, ein jähes End',
das Opfer leidet, unbekannt.
Ein Mensch verletzt, im tiefsten Schmerz,
verloren ist sein frohes Herz.

Doch auch die Gabe, dargebracht,
mit reiner Seele, wohlbedacht.
Ein freiwilliger Verzicht, so schwer,
das Opfer ehrt man dann gar sehr.

--- Translation ---

A blow of fate, a sudden end,
the victim suffers, unknown friend.
A person hurt, in deepest pain,
heir joyful heart is lost again.

But also the gift, presented there,
with purest soul, beyond compare.
A voluntary sacrifice, so great,
the offering is honored, sealed by fate.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Mensch sein, dem man Leid getan,
steh oft im Mittelpunkt von einem Plan.
Ich kann auch eine Gabe sein, gebracht aus Not,
manchmal für Götter, manchmal für das täglich Brot.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation & Answer ---

I can be a person who was wronged,
often the focus where plans belonged.
I can also be a gift, brought out of need,
sometimes for gods, sometimes for daily feed.

What am I?
(Answer: das Opfer - the victim / the sacrifice)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "Opfer" comes from Old High German "opfar", which in turn derives from the Latin "offerre" (to offer, present). The connection to religious offering is therefore very old.

Compounds: There are many compound words with "Opfer", e.g.:

• Opfergabe (sacrificial offering)
• Opferbereitschaft (willingness to make sacrifices)
• Opferrolle (victim role)
• Opferlamm (sacrificial lamb - also metaphorical)
• Brandopfer (fire victim), Verkehrsopfer (traffic victim), Gewaltopfer (victim of violence)