German word

rauben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁaʊ̯bən/

Meaning

  • verbsteal

Example

Er hat ihr das Handy geraubt.

He stole her phone.

Illustration for rauben (steal)

More examples

Der Gedanke an die Vergangenheit raubt ihm die Ruhe.

The thought of the past robs him of his peace.

Core concept

A raider strips valuables from people or a place while threats make resistance dangerous.

Common phrases

  • jemandem die Ruhe rauben

    rob someone of their peace

  • dem Opfer das Portemonnaie rauben

    rob the victim of their wallet

  • jemandem die Würde rauben

    rob someone of their dignity

Similar words

klauen: Informally taking someone else's property without being noticed.
stehlen: Taking someone else's property without permission.
entreißen: Forcefully snatching something from another person's hand.
ausrauben: Attacking a person or place to steal money or valuables.

Definition in German

etwas von jemandem gewaltsam oder durch Drohung wegnehmen.

Word origin

The verb comes through Old High German roubon from an inherited Germanic word for taking property by force, related to English rob.

Usage tips

  • Unlike neutral stehlen, rauben normally highlights force or threats, while berauben commonly means rob someone of possessions.

Other meanings

  • robverb
  • plunderverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Räuberrobbernoun
  • der Raubüberfallrobberynoun

Word lists with this word