Täter

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See also: tater, taeter, and tâter

German

Alternative forms

Etymology

15th century, backformation from the older pairs Missetäter/Übeltäter and Wohltäter/Guttäter. Equivalent to Tat (deed) +‎ -er (-er, agent suffix). Compare Dutch dader (also a backformation).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtɛːtər/, ,
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: Tä‧ter

Noun

Täter m (strong, genitive Täters, plural Täter, feminine Täterin)

  1. (law) perpetrator, delinquent
    Die Polizei konnte den Täter festnehmen.
    Police were able to arrest the perpetrator.
    • 2010, Der Spiegel, number 27/2010, page 109:
      Ein Gericht verurteilt einen Täter zu einer Strafe. Nachdem er sie verbüßt hat, ist der Rechtsfrieden wieder hergestellt: Seine Schuld ist getilgt, die Strafe söhnt ihn mit der Gesellschaft aus.
      A court sentences a delinquent to a penalty. After he has served it, the lawful state is restored: His guilt is cleared, the punishment reconciles him with society.
  2. (in a general sense rare) doer, one who does
    Wir sollen nicht nur Hörer, sondern Täter des Wortes sein.
    We are called not to be mere hearers, but doers of the word.

Declension

Derived terms

Further reading

  • Täter” in Duden online
  • Täter” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache