Betrüger
/bəˈtʁyːɡɐ/
The English phrase 'scammer' is translated into German as Betrüger.
Betrüger is used to describe a person who is a swindler or a cheat. If you want to refer to a general type of swindler or fraudster, you can also use the word Gauner.
Meaning: swindler, cheat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Betrüger is composed of the verb betrügen, meaning to deceive or cheat and the agent suffix -er, which denotes one who performs an action.
How does it change in a sentence?
Betrüger is a masculine noun. To refer specifically to a female scammer, use the feminine form Betrügerin. The word does not change its spelling in the plural. The plural of Betrüger is also Betrüger (scammers).
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈtʁyːɡɐ/
Did you know?
- In Germany, calling someone a Betrüger in public can be legally classified as Beleidigung or insult, potentially leading to a lawsuit even if the person has acted dishonestly.
- The word Betrüger shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'true', as both stem from the concept of 'faith' or 'trust'.
- If a scammer uses a fake identity, they are often called a Hochstapler, a term that originally referred to someone who 'climbs high' through deception.
Examples in context
- Sami ist ein Betrüger.Sami is a scammer.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific person as a Betrüger.Tatoeba #7251370 by dost, translation #7248655 by OsoHombre
- Wir helfen umsonst. Wenn einer Geld von dir will, dann ist das ein Betrüger.We help for free. If someone wants money from you, they are a scammer.This sentence is useful for recognizing that someone who demands money is a Betrüger.Tatoeba #10705426 by Yorwba, translation #10696185 by tokzyk
- Ich wurde Opfer eines BetrügersI fell victim to a scammer
- Die Polizei hat den Gauner verhaftetThe police arrested the scammer
- Vorsicht vor diesem Abzocker!Be careful with this scammer!
- Der Ganove hat mich um mein Geld gebrachtThe scammer swindled me out of my money
- Der Betrüger wurde gefasst.The scammer was caught.
- Die Abzockerin hat mich um mein Geld gebracht.The female scammer swindled me out of my money.
- Ein Gauner hat versucht, mich hereinzulegen.A scammer tried to deceive me.
- Pass auf, das ist ein Betrüger.Watch out, that is a scammer.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian warns Hannah about a suspicious email.
- MaximilianHannah, klick nicht auf diesen Link.Hannah, don't click on this link.
- HannahWarum nicht? Was ist das?Why not? What is it?
- MaximilianDas ist bestimmt ein Betrüger.That is definitely a scammer.
- HannahDanke, ich lösche die Nachricht sofort.Thanks, I'll delete the message immediately.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Betrüger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Betrüger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
