erbeuten
Translation
to capture, to loot, to get as booty, to prey on
Examples
Die Piraten erbeuteten viel Gold.
The pirates captured a lot of gold.
Der Löwe erbeutete ein Zebra.
The lion captured a zebra.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to capture/loot ((sth.)) The thieves looted jewelry.
((sth.)) ((from sb./sth.)) to capture/loot ((sth.)) from ((sb./sth.)) They captured the weapons from the guards.
Similar Words
Synonyms: rauben (to rob), plündern (to plunder), fangen (to catch)
Etymology
From the prefix 'er-' (achievement) + 'Beute' (booty, prey). It literally means 'to make something into booty/prey'.
Memory Tips
Think of a pirate yelling 'Er hat die Beute!' (He has the booty!). The verb 'erbeuten' is the action of getting that 'Beute'.