der  Raub

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁaʊp/

🕵️ What does 'der Raub' mean?

Der Raub (noun, masculine) refers to the act of taking someone else's property by force or threat of force. In contrast to simple theft (der Diebstahl), where no force or threat is used, der Raub is a more serious crime under German law.

There is only one primary meaning, which always uses the article der.

• Meaning 1: The forceful taking of property (e.g., Bankraub - bank robbery, Straßenraub - street robbery).
• Figurative Meaning: Sometimes 'Raub' is used figuratively, e.g., Raubbau an der Natur (excessive exploitation of nature).

🚨 Be careful not to confuse der Raub with der Diebstahl (theft). Raub always implies violence or the threat thereof.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Raub' in Detail

The noun 'der Raub' is masculine. It has a regular plural form.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Raub wurde der Polizei gemeldet.
   (The robbery was reported to the police.)
2. Die Beute des Raubes war beträchtlich.
   (The loot from the robbery was considerable.)
3. Dem Opfer wurde bei dem Raub die Tasche entrissen.
   (The victim's bag was snatched during the robbery.)
4. Die Polizei konnte den Raub schnell aufklären.
   (The police were able to quickly solve the robbery.)
5. Die Serie von Rauben beunruhigte die Anwohner.
   (The series of robberies worried the residents.)

🗣️ How 'der Raub' is used

'Der Raub' is mainly used in legal and police contexts to describe a crime involving force. It's a more formal term than der Überfall (attack, holdup), although 'Überfall' is often used synonymously in everyday language.

• Legal Context: In legal texts and court proceedings (referencing § 249 of the German Criminal Code, StGB).
• News Reporting: Describing crimes like Bankraub (bank robbery), Straßenraub (street robbery).
• Historical Context: Describing looting or plunder (e.g., Kunstraub - art theft during wartime).
• Figurative Use: Raubbau (e.g., an Ressourcen - of resources, an der Gesundheit - on one's health) - signifies reckless exploitation.

Distinction from 'der Diebstahl': The key difference is the element of force or threat in 'Raub'. Pickpocketing without force is 'Diebstahl'; snatching a bag while threatening the victim is 'Raub'.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Raub'

For the article 'der': Think of a stereotypical Robber (der Räuber), often depicted as male. Both Raub and Räuber start with 'R' and use 'der'.

For the meaning: Imagine someone using Rough force to take something. Rough = Raub.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Skelette nie an einem Bankraub teil?
Sie haben nicht den Mumm dazu!

English: Why do skeletons never participate in a bank robbery?
They don't have the guts for it!

📜 A Poem about Robbery

German:
Im Schatten lauert, kalt und grau,
Der Raub, geplant und ganz genau.
Mit schneller Hand, mit Drohung, Schreck,
Nimmt er, was dein, vom rechten Fleck.
Doch Recht und Ordnung halten Wacht,
Und bringen Täter vor die Macht.

English Translation:
In shadows lurking, cold and gray,
The Robbery, planned in a precise way.
With rapid hand, with threat and fright,
It takes what's yours, from its rightful site.
But law and order stand on guard,
And bring offenders to the court's regard.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich nehme weg mit Zwang und Not,
Bin schlimmer als des Diebes Brot.
Gewalt ist oft mein finst'rer Plan,
Im Strafgesetz steh ich voran.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I take away with force and need,
Worse than the thief's simple deed.
Violence is often my dark plan,
In criminal law, I lead the van.

What am I? (Answer: der Raub / Robbery)

🧩 Further Insights

Word Components & Related Words:

• The verb: rauben (to rob, to plunder)
• The person: der Räuber / die Räuberin (the robber - male / female)
• Adjective: räuberisch (predatory, rapacious; like a robber)

Compound Words (Examples):

• Bankraub: Bank robbery
• Kunstraub: Art theft/robbery
• Seeraub: Piracy (lit. sea robbery)
• Raubtier: Predator / beast of prey (lit. robbing animal)
• Raubbau: Overexploitation, depletion (lit. robbery-building/mining)