der  Alarm

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/aˈlaʁm/

🚨 What does "der Alarm" mean?

Der Alarm (masculine) generally refers to a signal or a state that indicates immediate danger, an emergency, or an urgent need for action. It can be an acoustic or visual signal, as well as a state of heightened alertness or readiness.

• Warning signal: Often a loud noise (Sirene, Klingel - siren, bell) or a light signal warning of danger (e.g., Feueralarm - fire alarm, Einbruchsalarm - burglar alarm).
• State of readiness: A phase of increased vigilance or mobilization, often in a military or security context (e.g., Alarmbereitschaft - state of alert).
• Excitement/Commotion (rarer, colloquial): Can also be used metaphorically for great excitement or hustle and bustle ("Mach keinen solchen Alarm!" - Don't make such a fuss!).

⚠️ Important: The word is always masculine: der Alarm.

🧐 Grammar of "der Alarm" in Detail

The noun "Alarm" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences:

1. Der laute Alarm weckte die ganze Nachbarschaft. (The loud alarm woke up the whole neighborhood.)
2. Wegen des Feuers wurde Alarm geschlagen. (An alarm was raised because of the fire.)
3. Die Feuerwehr ist nach dem Alarm sofort ausgerückt. (The fire department responded immediately after the alarm.)
4. Hörst du den Alarm der Alarmanlage? (Do you hear the alarm of the security system?)
5. Falsche Alarme kommen leider häufig vor. (Unfortunately, false alarms happen frequently.)

💡 How to use "Alarm" correctly

"Alarm" is mostly used in contexts signaling danger, warning, or urgency.

• Concrete warning signals: Often associated with technical devices or systems: Feueralarm (fire alarm), Rauchmelderalarm (smoke detector alarm), Einbruchsalarm (burglar alarm), Autoalarm (car alarm).
• States: Describing a situation of heightened alertness: Alarmbereitschaft (alert status), Alarmstufe Rot (red alert), stiller Alarm (silent alarm).
• Triggering/Giving: One can Alarm schlagen (raise the alarm), Alarm geben (give an alarm), or Alarm auslösen (trigger an alarm).
• Colloquial: For exaggerated fuss: "Warum machst du wegen so einer Kleinigkeit gleich so einen Alarm?" (Why are you making such a fuss about such a small thing?)

Potential confusion? Sometimes "Alarm" is confused with "Warnung" (warning). A Warnung can be more general and doesn't necessarily signal an immediate danger like an Alarm often does.

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Alarm"

For the article (der): Think of the deranged man (masculine!) setting off der Alarm. Or associate it with der Lärm (the noise - also masculine), as alarms are noisy.

For the meaning: "Alarm" sounds like the English command "All arm!" – a call for everyone (soldiers) to prepare for immediate action, just like an alarm.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Similar-sounding words: Be careful with words like "Charme" (der) – sounds vaguely similar but has a completely different meaning (charm).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Wecker beim Psychologen angerufen?

Er hatte ständig Alarmträume!

(Why did the alarm clock call the psychologist? – It kept having alarming dreams! [Pun on Albtraum = nightmare])

📜 Alarm in Rhyme

Ein Ton durchbricht die Stille,
so laut, nach seinem Wille.
Der Alarm, er schrillt und schreit,
Signal zur Wachsamkeit.
Ob Feuer, Dieb, ob Not,
er warnt vor drohendem Tod.
Drum hör genau, sei bereit,
für kurze oder lange Zeit.

(A sound breaks through the silence,
so loud, according to its will.
The alarm, it shrills and shouts,
A signal for vigilance.
Whether fire, thief, or distress,
it warns of impending death.
So listen closely, be prepared,
for a short or long time.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann ich laut erschallen.
Ich wecke dich, wenn Gefahren drohen oder Fallen.
Man schlägt mich, löst mich aus, bringt mich zum Klingen,
um Menschen schnell in Sicherheit zu bringen.

Was bin ich?

(I have no mouth, yet I can sound loudly.
I wake you when dangers threaten or traps loom.
People raise me, trigger me, make me ring,
to quickly bring people to safety.

What am I?)

Solution: der Alarm (the alarm)

📌 More about "Alarm"

• Etymology: The word "Alarm" comes from the Italian military call "all'arme!" meaning "to arms!". It entered German in the 16th century via French ("alarme").
• Compounds: "Alarm" is part of many compound nouns specifying the type of alarm: Feueralarm (fire alarm), Einbruchsalarm (burglar alarm), Fliegeralarm (air-raid alarm), Probealarm (test alarm), Fehlalarm (false alarm), Weckalarm (wake-up alarm), Bombenalarm (bomb alert).
• Idiom: "Alarm schlagen" means to raise the alarm, warn urgently about a danger.