der  Angreifer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaŋʁaɪfɐ/

🕵️ What exactly is an Angreifer?

The word der Angreifer describes a male person (or generally a person or thing) who initiates or carries out an act of attacking. It is used in several contexts:

• General/Military/Legal: Someone who starts an attack; an aggressor. This can be physical, verbal, or figurative (e.g., Cyberangriff - cyber attack).
• Sports: A player in a team sport (e.g., football, handball, ice hockey) whose main task is to score goals or points; a forward or striker.

⚠️ Note: The word is masculine. The feminine form is die Angreiferin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Angreifer

Der Angreifer is a masculine noun. It follows the weak N-declension pattern.

💬 Example Sentences

1. Der Angreifer konnte schnell identifiziert werden.
   (The attacker could be identified quickly.)
2. Die Taktik des Angreifers war durchschaubar.
   (The attacker's tactic was transparent.)
3. Der Verteidiger stellte sich dem Angreifer mutig entgegen.
   (The defender bravely confronted the attacker.)
4. Die Polizei fasste den Angreifer nach kurzer Verfolgung.
   (The police caught the attacker after a short chase.)
5. Die Angreifer stürmten auf das Tor zu.
   (The attackers rushed towards the goal.)
6. Die Namen der Angreifer wurden nicht genannt.
   (The names of the attackers were not mentioned.)
7. Der Trainer gab den Angreifern neue Anweisungen.
   (The coach gave the attackers new instructions.)
8. Man sah die Angreifer kommen.
   (One could see the attackers coming.)

💡 How to use "Angreifer"?

The use of der Angreifer strongly depends on the context:

• In conflict situations: It refers to the party or person initiating a hostile action. Examples: "Die Truppen wehrten den Angreifer ab." (The troops repelled the attacker.), "Das Opfer erkannte den Angreifer wieder." (The victim recognized the attacker.)
• In sports: It's a positional term, often synonymous with Stürmer (striker/forward). Examples: "Der Angreifer schoss das entscheidende Tor." (The forward scored the decisive goal.), "Unsere Mannschaft braucht bessere Angreifer." (Our team needs better forwards.)
• Figuratively: Sometimes used for abstract threats or aggressive actors. Example: "Der Angreifer nutzte eine Sicherheitslücke im System." (The attacker exploited a security vulnerability in the system.) - referring to a cyber attacker.

Compared to Aggressor, Angreifer is often more neutral or descriptive, while Aggressor implies a stronger negative judgment, especially in the context of international law.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

1. For the article 'der':

   Imagine a strong MAN who angreift (attacks) someone. The man (masculine) uses the article der. Hence, der Angreifer.

2. For the meaning:

   The word contains "greifen" (to grab, seize). An Angreifer is someone who "greift an" - who grabs *at* someone or something, either hostilely or (in sports) towards the goal. Think of 'aggressor' starting with 'A' like 'Angreifer'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Don't confuse with Greifer (e.g., a technical gripper) or Anfasser (e.g., a handle).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie den Angreifer mit einem Stuhl geschlagen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Weil ich das Sofa nicht heben konnte!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you hit the attacker with a chair?"
The defendant replies: "Because I couldn't lift the sofa!"

📜 A Little Poem

Der Angreifer, schnell und schlau,
ob im Spiel, ob im Donnergrau.
Mal schießt er Tore, Jubel hallt,
mal bringt er Unheil, kalt und alt.
Sein Ziel ist klar, er greift es an,
der kühne, wagemutige Mann.

Translation:
The attacker, fast and sly,
be it in game, or thundering sky.
Sometimes scores goals, cheers resound,
sometimes brings mischief, cold, profound.
His aim is clear, he makes his stand,
the bold, audacious man.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich beginne oft den Streit,
bin im Sport zur Attacke bereit.
Manchmal fürchte man meinen Schritt,
manchmal bring ich den Sieg mit.

Wer bin ich?

Lösung/Solution: der Angreifer

Translation:
I often start the fight,
In sports, I'm ready for the attack's might.
Sometimes my step is feared,
sometimes I bring victory, cheered.

Who am I?

Solution: the attacker / der Angreifer

📌 More Information

• Word Formation: The word is derived from the verb angreifen (to attack). The suffix -er forms a noun of agency (Nomen Agentis - indicating the person performing the action).
• Feminine Form: The female equivalent is die Angreiferin (plural: die Angreiferinnen).
• International: The concept of an "attacker" exists in many languages (e.g., Eng. attacker, Fr. attaquant, Span. atacante).