Betrüger
/bəˈtʁyːɡɐ/masculine
The English word "cheater" is translated into German as Betrüger. Wiktionary also lists Schwindler.
Meaning: someone who cheats (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Betrüger | /bəˈtʁyːɡɐ/ | masculine |
| Schwindler | /ˈʃvɪndlɐ/ | masculine |
Both Betrüger and Schwindler refer to a person who cheats.
Which one should you use?
Betrüger is used for more serious, often criminal, deception such as fraud or scams.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of Betrüger is Betrügerin. The feminine form of Schwindler is Schwindlerin.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈtʁyːɡɐ/
Did you know?
- In a romantic context, if you want to call someone a 'cheater' or 'unfaithful', you would use the word Untreuer instead of Betrüger, which would sound like they committed financial fraud.
- The word Schwindler is related to the verb schwindeln, which can also mean to feel dizzy or to experience a sensation of vertigo.
- While Betrüger is the standard term for a cheater, German has specific terms for cheating in different contexts, such as Spicker for someone who cheats by using a cheat sheet during an exam.
Examples in context
- Der Betrüger wurde vor Gericht gestellt.The cheater was brought to court.
- Viele Menschen wurden von diesem Schwindler um ihr Geld betrogen.Many people were cheated out of their money by this cheater.
- Die Täuscherin war sehr geschickt darin, ihre Pläne zu verbergen.The cheater was very skilled at hiding her plans.
- Er ist ein Schummler und betrügt gerne beim Spielen.He's a cheater and likes to cheat while playing.
- Der Betrüger hat das Geld gestohlen.The cheater stole the money.
- Er ist ein gefährlicher Betrüger.He is a dangerous cheater.
- Wir haben den Betrüger endlich gefasst.We finally caught the cheater.
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are discussing a news report about a crime.
- FelixHast du die Nachricht über den Betrüger gelesen?Did you read the news about the cheater?
- SarahJa, der Betrüger war sehr geschickt.Yes, the cheater was very clever.
- FelixIch hoffe, er wird schnell gefunden.I hope he is found quickly.
- SarahDie Polizei sucht bereits nach ihm.The police are already looking for him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheater” translations and entries Betrüger, Schwindler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
