Krieger
/ˈkʁiːɡɐ/masculine
The German word for warrior is Krieger. Wiktionary also lists Kriegsmann.
Meaning: person actively engaged in battle, conflict or warfare (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Krieger | /ˈkʁiːɡɐ/ | masculine |
| Kriegsmann | archaic, masculine |
The term refers to a person actively engaged in battle, conflict or warfare.
What does it mean word for word?
Krieger is composed of Krieg, meaning war and the suffix -er, which denotes one who does something.
Which one should you use?
Krieger is the standard term for a warrior, whereas Kriegsmann is an archaic term used primarily in historical contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the word Held, which translates to hero, can also be used to refer to a warrior.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Krieger remains Krieger. To specify a female warrior, use the feminine form Kriegerin.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkʁiːɡɐ/
Did you know?
- The word Krieg is actually a linguistic stranger to the English word 'war'. While they seem related, Krieg shares its roots with the idea of 'crooked' or 'bending', whereas 'war' comes from a different Indo-European root.
- If you are looking for a more poetic or ancient way to describe a warrior in German literature, you might encounter the word Streiter, which implies one who struggles or contends.
- In German, a person who is an expert at fighting or combat is often called a Kämpfer, a word that sounds more technical and less ideological than Krieger.
Examples in context
- Wir stellten den Krieger.We confronted the warrior.This sentence shows how to use the word Krieger in the context of a confrontation.Tatoeba #13419540 by Waldelfe, translation #11880017 by Amastan
- Tom ist ein großer Krieger.Tom is a great warrior.This sentence uses Krieger to describe someone as a great warrior.Tatoeba #6108037 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5358067 by Hybrid
- Du bist ein wahrer Krieger.You are a true warrior.This sentence uses Krieger to describe someone as a true warrior.Tatoeba #10097597 by wolfgangth, translation #5357962 by Hybrid
- Der tapfere Krieger hat für sein Land gekämpft.The brave warrior fought for his country.
- Die Kämpfer dieses Stammes sind sehr mutig.The warriors of this tribe are very brave.
- Der tapfere Kämpfer hob sein Schwert und stürzte sich in die Schlacht.The brave warrior raised his sword and plunged into battle.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are discussing a fantasy movie.
- JulianWar der Hauptcharakter ein tapferer Krieger?Was the main character a brave warrior?
- JuliaJa, Julian, er war ein legendärer Krieger.Yes, Julian, he was a legendary warrior.
- JulianHat der Krieger am Ende gewonnen?Did the warrior win in the end?
- JuliaNein, der Krieger starb im Kampf.No, the warrior died in battle.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “warrior” translations and entries Krieger, Kriegsmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Krieger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
