die
Bedrohung
🎯 What Exactly is a 'Bedrohung'?
The word die Bedrohung (feminine) refers to a situation, statement, or action perceived as dangerous, intimidating, or announcing something negative. It can relate to concrete dangers or abstract risks.
- Concrete threat (konkrete Bedrohung): A person showing a weapon and demanding money.
- Abstract threat (abstrakte Bedrohung): The threat posed by climate change to future generations (die Bedrohung durch den Klimawandel).
⚠️ Attention: 'Bedrohung' often describes the possibility or implication of danger, not necessarily the damage that has already occurred.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📚 Grammar Corner: 'die Bedrohung' in Detail
The noun 'Bedrohung' is feminine. Therefore, the article is always 'die'.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bedrohung |
| Genitive | der | Bedrohung |
| Dative | der | Bedrohung |
| Accusative | die | Bedrohung |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bedrohungen |
| Genitive | der | Bedrohungen |
| Dative | den | Bedrohungen |
| Accusative | die | Bedrohungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei nahm die Bedrohung ernst. (The police took the threat seriously.)
- Wir müssen uns gegen die vielfältigen Bedrohungen wappnen. (We must arm ourselves against the diverse threats.)
- Das Gefühl ständiger Bedrohung kann krank machen. (The feeling of constant threat can make one sick.)
- Sie trotzte der Bedrohung mit Mut. (She defied the threat with courage.)
🗣️ How is 'Bedrohung' Used?
'Bedrohung' is used in many contexts:
- Security Policy (Sicherheitspolitik): Die terroristische Bedrohung bleibt hoch. (The terrorist threat remains high.)
- Environment (Umwelt): Der Verlust der Artenvielfalt stellt eine ernste Bedrohung dar. (The loss of biodiversity poses a serious threat.)
- Personal Safety (Persönliche Sicherheit): Er erhielt anonyme Bedrohungen. (He received anonymous threats.)
- Psychology/Sociology (Psychologie/Soziologie): Die wahrgenommene Bedrohung des eigenen Status. (The perceived threat to one's own status.)
- Technology (Technik): Cyber-Bedrohungen nehmen zu. (Cyber threats are increasing.)
It's a rather formal word but can also appear in everyday life, especially when a serious danger is meant. Compared to 'Gefahr' (danger), 'Bedrohung' often emphasizes the intent (if originating from people) or the looming potential more strongly.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Bedrohung'
Article Mnemonic (die): Think of 'die' as in 'to die' might be the result of a serious Bedrohung (threat). Both 'die' and 'Bedrohung' share the 'ie' sound, and 'Bedrohung' is feminine.
Meaning Mnemonic (Threat): 'Bedrohung' sounds a bit like 'be-dreading'. You might 'be dreading' a Bedrohung (threat). It comes from the verb 'drohen' (to threaten).
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Gefahr: General term for risk or a negative possibility (danger).
- Risiko: The possibility of something negative happening (risk, often more calculable).
- Einschüchterung: A targeted attempt to instill fear (intimidation, often part of a threat).
- Gefährdung: Exposure to danger (endangerment).
- Drohung: The specific utterance of a threat (threat, the statement itself).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Sicherheit: Absence of danger or threat (safety, security).
- Schutz: Measures or state that protects from threat (protection).
- Geborgenheit: Feeling of safety and security (sense of security, comfort).
- Frieden: Absence of conflict and threat (peace, often in a larger context).
🤔 Potential Confusion? Sometimes 'Drohung' (the specific statement) is confused with 'Bedrohung' (the state, the danger). Example: Er stieß eine Drohung aus. (He uttered a threat.) Die Bedrohungslage verschärfte sich. (The threat situation intensified.)
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Pessimist den Optimisten: "Ist das Glas halb leer oder halb voll?"
Sagt der Realist: "Vorsicht! Jemand könnte das Glas als Wurfgeschoss benutzen! Eine potenzielle Bedrohung!" 😉
--- Translation ---
The pessimist asks the optimist: "Is the glass half empty or half full?"
The realist says: "Careful! Someone could use the glass as a projectile! A potential threat!" 😉
📜 Poem about 'Bedrohung'
Ein Schatten legt sich auf das Land,
Die Bedrohung, Hand in Hand
Mit Angst und Sorge zieht sie ein,
Lässt Hoffnung schwinden, klein und fein.
Doch Mut erwacht, stellt sich entgegen,
Will Sicherheit und Frieden pflegen.
Die Ahnung schwer, die Luft vibriert,
Bis Gefahr gebannt, besiegt, pariert.
--- Translation ---
A shadow falls upon the land,
The threat, walking hand in hand
With fear and worry, it moves in,
Lets hope dwindle, small and thin.
But courage wakes, stands opposed,
Wants safety and peace composed.
The premonition heavy, the air vibrates,
Until danger's banned, defeated, checkmates.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch spreche von Gefahr.
Ich habe keine Hände, doch dränge manches Paar
Zur Flucht, zur Wehr, zur Vorsicht, immerdar.
Mal bin ich nur im Kopfe, mal wirklich offenbar.
Was bin ich?
--- Translation & Answer ---
I have no voice, yet speak of danger.
I have no hands, yet urge many a pair
To flight, to defense, to caution, evermore.
Sometimes I'm only in the head, sometimes truly there.
What am I?
(Answer: Die Bedrohung / The Threat)
🧩 More Tidbits
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
'Bedrohung' is a noun derived from the verb 'bedrohen'. 'Bedrohen', in turn, is derived from the verb 'drohen' with the prefix 'be-', which often indicates intensification or the target of an action (to threaten someone).
- drohen: to indicate that something negative might happen (e.g., Der Himmel droht mit Regen - The sky threatens rain) or to menace someone with harm.
- bedrohen: to specifically confront or endanger a person or thing with something negative.
- Bedrohung: the result or state of being threatened or threatening.
Summary: is it der, die or das Bedrohung?
The German word 'Bedrohung' is feminine, so the correct article is always 'die Bedrohung'.