Whether you're reading a history book or watching a fantasy series, the word warrior in German will come in handy more often than you think. It's bold, dramatic, and easy to remember — but it also ties into serious topics like war, myth, and bravery.
The word is Krieger — pronounced “KREE-gur,” with the first syllable like “creek” and a soft final -er, similar to “burger” without the “b”.
Krieger is masculine, so it’s der Krieger. The plural is die Krieger. If you need a quick and effective overview of how gender works, check out my gender video lesson.
It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and a favorite in everything from textbooks to video games.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:
Der Krieger trägt eine Rüstung.
The warrior wears armor.
Accusative:
Ich sehe den Krieger im Film.
I see the warrior in the movie.
Dative:
Wir helfen dem Krieger im Kampf.
We’re helping the warrior in battle.
Genitive:
Die Waffe des Kriegers ist scharf.
The warrior’s weapon is sharp.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Krieger is more than just a soldier — it implies strength, bravery, and a readiness for battle, whether literal or symbolic. You'll find it in historic contexts like Römerkrieger (Roman warrior), or in fantasy: Drachenkrieger (dragon warrior).
It’s also the root of other strong words:
der Krieg – war
kriegerisch – warlike, aggressive
der Friedenskrieger – peace warrior
die Kriegerin – the female warrior
In modern usage, you’ll find Krieger in martial arts, motivational language, and even as a metaphor for people overcoming personal struggles:
ein stiller Krieger – a quiet warrior
ein Krieger des Lichts – a warrior of light
Beginner dialogue using Krieger:
A: Wer ist dein Lieblingscharakter in dem Spiel?
B: Der Krieger mit dem Schwert!
A: Who’s your favorite character in the game?
B: The warrior with the sword!
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Krieger.
“Wer ist für dich ein echter Krieger – im Film, in der Geschichte oder im echten Leben?”
Who is a true warrior to you — in film, history, or real life?
Say your answer out loud in German and include Krieger in the sentence.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say warrior in German — and how der Krieger can empower your vocabulary for stories, struggles, and strength.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to continue building useful, high-context German vocabulary.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Krise — ideal for discussing challenges and resilience.
Or revisit Kugel — a fun word with meanings from desserts to bullets.