If you’ve ever watched a crime show, read a mystery novel, or followed a news report, you’ve definitely run into the word murderer. Learning how to say murderer in German gives you essential vocabulary for storytelling, media, and serious conversations.
The word is der Mörder. It’s masculine, and the plural is die Mörder. If you want a clearer sense of when to use der, take a look at my gender video lesson — it’s a quick and powerful guide.
Mörder is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and even though it’s a grim word, it’s a very common one — especially in entertainment and current events.
Quick case examples:
Nominative:
Der Mörder ist noch auf der Flucht.
The murderer is still on the run.
Accusative:
Sie haben den Mörder gefasst.
They caught the murderer.
Dative:
Die Polizei glaubt dem Mörder nicht.
The police don’t believe the murderer.
Genitive:
Das Motiv des Mörders ist unklar.
The motive of the murderer is unclear.
You’ll find Mörder in all kinds of media — it’s not just a legal word, but part of everyday language for crime, drama, and suspense.
Common collocations:
ein brutaler Mörder – a brutal murderer
der Serienmörder – serial killer
ein eiskalter Mörder – a cold-blooded murderer
den Mörder fassen – to catch the murderer
als Mörder verurteilt werden – to be convicted as a murderer
Verbs: töten (kill), ermorden (murder), verhaften (arrest), verurteilen, suchen, beschuldigen
Adjectives: unbekannt, gefährlich, schuldlos?, schuldig, verdächtig
A note for learners: Mörder refers to a male murderer. The female form is die Mörderin.
Beginner dialogue using Mörder:
A: Wer war der Mörder im Film?
B: Ich glaube, es war der Nachbar.
A: Who was the murderer in the movie?
B: I think it was the neighbor.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Mörder.
“Kennst du einen berühmten Mörder aus Film oder Geschichte — und was ist seine Geschichte?”
Do you know a famous murderer from film or history — and what’s their story?
Say it out loud and make sure Mörder appears in your sentence — it's an intense word, but often used in language learning contexts.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say murderer in German — and how der Mörder connects to mystery stories, law, and everyday conversation.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and strengthen your vocabulary for reading, watching, and speaking.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Motor — and talk about machines, speed, and mechanics.
Or revisit Morgen — and learn to speak naturally about time, greetings, and your plans.