Opfer

Opfer is a German noun with two primary senses. In everyday use, it denotes a person or thing that suffers harm as the result of a crime, accident, disaster, or misfortune; e.g., "Der Mann war das Opfer eines Betrugs" or "Viele Opfer der Überschwemmung mussten evakuiert werden." In religious or ceremonial contexts, das Opfer refers to a sacrifice or offering made to deities, often involving animals or foods, as in "ein Opfer bringen" or "das Opferfest" (in some contexts). The term can be extended to abstract harms, e.g., "ein Opfer der Politik" though this is less common.

Origin and forms: Opfer is derived from the verb opfern ("to offer, to sacrifice"), and historically referred to the act of offering; over time it also came to denote the person who suffers as a result of the sacrifice or event. The word is neuter: das Opfer; plural die Opfer; no suffix in the plural beyond article. Usage: "ein Opfer" (indefinite singular), "das Opfer" (definite singular), "die Opfer" (plural). Common expressions include "ein Opfer bringen" (to make a sacrifice or compromise, depending on sense), "Opfer erleiden/ertragen" (to sustain losses), and "Opfer von" + dative (the victim of...). In law and media, Opfer is used for victims of crime and disasters; discussions may involve victim protection and Opferentschädigung.