Verräter
/fɛɐ̯ˈʁɛːtɐ/masculine
The German word for traitor is Verräter. Wiktionary also lists Verräterin.
Meaning: one who betrays, a betrayer (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Verräter | /fɛɐ̯ˈʁɛːtɐ/ | masculine |
| Verräterin | feminine |
The term refers to someone who commits betrayal. If you want to specifically describe a traitor to one's country, the word Landesverräter is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun Verräter is derived from the verb verraten, which means to betray.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form Verräter is identical to its plural form Verräter. To refer specifically to a female traitor, use the feminine form Verräterin.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛɐ̯ˈʁɛːtɐ/
Did you know?
- The verb verraten can also be used in a much softer, non-malicious sense to mean 'to reveal' a secret or a piece of information, such as a surprise.
- The prefix ver- in verraten often indicates a mistake or a reversal, mirroring how a 'traitor' reverses a bond of trust.
- In historical literature, a Verräter was often associated with the 'Judas' archetype, leading to the phrase Judas-Kuss to describe a traitor's fake affection.
Examples in context
- Er ist ein Verräter.He's a traitor.This sentence shows how to identify a male as a Verräter.Tatoeba #3104374 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2483433 by Hybrid
- Tom ist ein Verräter.Tom is a traitor.This sentence identifies Tom as a Verräter.Tatoeba #1582106 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1582103 by Spamster
- Du bist ein Verräter.You're a traitor.This sentence uses Verräter to address someone directly as a traitor.Tatoeba #10097590 by wolfgangth, translation #1841503 by CK
- Der Politiker entpuppte sich als Verräter, als er streng vertrauliche Informationen an eine fremde Regierung weitergab.The politician revealed himself as a traitor when he disclosed highly confidential information to a foreign government.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are discussing a former colleague who stole company secrets.
- JuliaHast du gehört, was er getan hat?Did you hear what he did?
- LukasJa, er ist ein richtiger Verräter.Yes, he is a real traitor.
- JuliaLukas, ich bin so enttäuscht von ihm.Lukas, I am so disappointed in him.
- LukasWir sollten ihm nie wieder vertrauen.We should never trust him again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traitor” translations and entries Verräter, Verräterin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
