der
Gewalttäter
❓ What does "der Gewalttäter" mean?
Der Gewalttäter is a male person who uses or has used violence, especially in the sense of a criminal offense. It describes someone who inflicts physical or psychological violence on others.
It's a specific noun referring to a person whose actions are characterized by violence.
- Article: der (masculine)
- Feminine form: die Gewalttäterin
🚨 Attention: The word has a strong negative connotation and is often used in legal or police contexts.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
📚 Grammar of Gewalttäter in Detail
The noun "der Gewalttäter" is a masculine noun and follows the weak N-declension (except for the genitive singular).
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Gewalttäter |
| Genitive | des | Gewalttäters |
| Dative | dem | Gewalttäter |
| Accusative | den | Gewalttäter |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewalttäter |
| Genitive | der | Gewalttäter |
| Dative | den | Gewalttätern |
| Accusative | die | Gewalttäter |
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei konnte den Gewalttäter schnell fassen. (The police were able to quickly apprehend the violent offender.)
- Man diskutiert Maßnahmen zum Schutz vor bekannten Gewalttätern. (Measures to protect against known violent offenders are being discussed.)
- Das Gericht verurteilte den Gewalttäter zu einer langen Haftstrafe. (The court sentenced the violent offender to a long prison term.)
- Die Zahl der registrierten Gewalttäter ist im letzten Jahr gestiegen. (The number of registered violent offenders increased last year.)
🗣️ How is "Gewalttäter" used?
"Gewalttäter" is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in news reports, police statements, legal documents, and socio-political discussions.
- Context: Crime, law, security, social issues.
- Connotation: Strongly negative, judgmental.
- Distinction: While Straftäter (criminal offender) is a more general term for someone who has committed a crime, Gewalttäter specifically emphasizes the use of violence. A Schläger (brawler, thug) is often someone who strikes spontaneously or in a fight, whereas Gewalttäter can also encompass planned or systematic violence.
In everyday language, the word is less common and can sound very direct and accusatory.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the article: Think of der Täter (the male perpetrator) – it refers to a male person, hence der Gewalttäter.
Remembering the meaning: The word is composed of Gewalt (violence) and Täter (perpetrator). A perpetrator who uses violence is a Gewalttäter. Quite logical!
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Verbrecher: Criminal; more general, but often used for serious crimes.
- Straftäter: Offender; general term for someone who breaks the law.
- Schläger: Brawler, thug; often more specific to physical altercations.
- Aggressor: Aggressor; someone who initiates an attack.
- Brutalo (colloquial): Brute; informal term for a brutal person.
Similar, but distinct terms:
- Tatverdächtiger: Suspect; someone suspected of committing a crime (not yet convicted).
- Angeklagter: Defendant; someone on trial.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Gewalttäter keinen Kalender?
Weil seine Tage gezählt sind! 😉
(Why doesn't the violent offender have a calendar? Because his days are numbered! 😉)
(Please note: This is a pun and not intended to trivialize the serious nature of the topic.)
✒️ Poem about the Term
Wo Schatten Macht gewinnen will,
Und Fäuste sprechen, Worte still,
Wo Angst und Schrecken Kreise zieh'n,
Da mag ein Gewalttäter blüh'n.
Doch Recht und Mut sich ihm entgegenstellen,
Die dunklen Taten aufzuhellen.
(Where shadows strive to gain control,
And fists speak out, words take no toll,
Where fear and terror draw their lines,
A violent perpetrator shines.)
(But law and courage stand opposed,
To bring the dark deeds to be closed / exposed.)
🕵️ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich handle oft im Dunkeln, selten im Licht,
Mein Tun bringt Schmerz und bricht Gesicht.
Vor Gericht werd' ich oft genannt,
Gesetz und Ordnung sind mir unbekannt.
Ich bin männlich, mein Artikel ist 'der',
Wer bin ich, sag es her!
(I often act in darkness, seldom in light,
My actions bring pain and cause fright.
In court, my name is often said,
Law and order fill me with dread.
I am male, my article is 'der',
Who am I? Please declare!)
Solution: der Gewalttäter (the violent offender)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition
The word "Gewalttäter" is a compound noun, composed of:
Together, the meaning is: someone who commits an act using violence.
Feminine Form
As mentioned earlier, the feminine form is "die Gewalttäterin". In the plural, the neutral form "Gewalttäter" is often used generically, but "Gewalttäterinnen und Gewalttäter" or gender-neutral spellings are also common.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gewalttäter?
The word "Gewalttäter" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to a male person who uses violence. The feminine form is "die Gewalttäterin".