Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Auftragsmörder | /ˈaʊ̯ftʁaksˌmœʁdɐ/ | masculine |
| Auftragsmörderin | /ˈaʊ̯ftʁaksˌmœʁdɐʁɪn/ | feminine |
| Killer | /ˈkɪlɐ/ | masculine |
| Killerin | /ˈkɪləʁɪn/ | feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
The word Auftragsmörder is a compound noun consisting of Auftrag, meaning order or contract and Mörder, meaning murderer.
Which one should you use?
While Auftragsmörder specifically means a contract killer, the term Berufsmörder is a formal way to describe a professional killer. For a more informal tone, you can use Profikiller.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Auftragsmörder is a formal term. You can also use the formal term Berufsmörder to mean a professional killer. In informal settings, Killer or Profikiller may be used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Germany and Switzerland, the terms Auftragsmörder and Auftragskiller are prevalent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is Auftragsmörder. To refer to a female hitman, use the feminine form Auftragsmörderin, which is created by adding the suffix -in to the masculine noun. The informal forms follow a similar pattern, with Killer being masculine and Killerin being feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaʊ̯ftʁaksˌmœʁdɐ/
Did you know?
- The word Mörder comes from the root Mord, which in old legal contexts distinguished a secret killing from Totschlag, a killing that happened in the heat of the moment.
- The word Killer is an English loanword, but Germans have created a native verb killen specifically to describe the act of killing in a way that sounds more like a movie or a crime novel.
- The -s- in Auftragsmörder is called a Fugen-s, which literally translates to 'seam-s' because it acts as a joint to connect two nouns smoothly.
Examples in context
- Er setzte einen Auftragsmörder auf sie an.He hired a hitman to kill her.This sentence is useful for showing how to use Auftragsmörder as an object in a sentence.Tatoeba #12334843 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8522233 by CH
- Layla hatte eine gefährliche Beziehung mit einem Auftragsmörder.Layla had a dangerous liaison with a hitman.This sentence is useful for showing the use of Auftragsmörder within a descriptive context.Tatoeba #12441267 by Yorwba, translation #6468958 by OsoHombre
- Die Polizei hat den Auftragsmörder erfolgreich gefasst.The police have successfully apprehended the contract killer.
- Der Film handelt von einem Auftragsmörder.The movie is about a hitman.
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing a crime novel.
- HannahIst der Auftragsmörder in diesem Buch böse?Is the hitman in this book evil?
- FelixNein, er ist eigentlich ein guter Mann.No, he is actually a good man.
- HannahDas ist eine seltsame Geschichte.That is a strange story.
- FelixJa, aber sie ist sehr spannend.Yes, but it is very exciting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hitman” translations and entries Auftragsmörder, Auftragsmörderin, Killer, Killerin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Auftragsmörder, Auftragsmörderin, Killer, Killerin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
