German Conversation · Level 19
90 words
German word
Attacke
Pronunciation
IPA/aˈtakə/
Meaning
- feminine nounattack
Example
Die Attacke kam völlig unerwartet.
The attack was completely unexpected.
More examples
Die Politikerin wehrte die persönliche Attacke souverän ab.
The politician confidently fended off the personal attack.
Core concept
A forceful move forward that strikes at a target and can also take the form of a sharp verbal assault.
Common phrases
in die Attacke gehen
go on the offensive
zur Attacke übergehen
go over to the attack
eine Attacke erleiden
suffer an attack
Similar words
Angriff: A forceful attack directed at an opponent with weapons, power, or other means.
Offensive: An organized military or political push forward against an opponent.
Überfall: A sudden attack carried out quickly and without warning.
Sturm: A vigorous charge into or fierce attack against an opponent or position.
Definition in German
ein gewaltsamer Übergriff oder offensiver Vorstoß gegen ein Ziel, oft überraschend und mit dem Zweck, Schaden zuzufügen oder eine Stellung zu gewinnen; auch im übertragenen Sinn
Word origin
The German noun comes from French attaque, which is derived from the verb attaquer and entered German as a loanword.
Usage tips
- An attack on a person or institution is commonly expressed with auf plus the accusative, as in eine Attacke auf die Regierung.