die  Bombendrohung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɔmbənˌdʁoːʊŋ/

🚨 What exactly is a Bombendrohung?

Die Bombendrohung (feminine noun) means a bomb threat. It refers to the threat of a bomb attack or the communication that a bomb has been placed or will explode at a specific location. It's a serious criminal offense.

The word is a compound noun, composed of:

• die Bombe: the bomb
• die Drohung: the threat

There is only this one meaning and the article is always die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Die Bombendrohung in Detail

The noun 'Bombendrohung' is feminine. The correct article is die.

Declension:

Example Sentences:

1. Nach der Bombendrohung wurde das Gebäude evakuiert.
   (After the bomb threat, the building was evacuated.)
2. Die Polizei nimmt jede Bombendrohung ernst.
   (The police take every bomb threat seriously.)
3. Es gab mehrere anonyme Bombendrohungen gegen die Schule.
   (There were several anonymous bomb threats against the school.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

'Die Bombendrohung' is mainly used in serious contexts, such as news reports, police statements, or security alerts. It describes a concrete danger or the threat thereof.

• Typical Situations: Evacuations of buildings, airports, schools; police investigations.
• Connotation: Always negative, associated with fear, danger, and disruption of public order.
• Differentiation: Eine 'Drohung' (a threat) is more general; eine 'Bombendrohung' specifically relates to explosive devices.

⚠️ Making a false bomb threat is a criminal offense and can have severe consequences.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

1. Remembering the Article: The word ends in '-ung', which almost always indicates a feminine noun in German (like 'die Drohung' - the threat, 'die Warnung' - the warning). Therefore: die Bombendrohung. Many words related to danger or abstract threats are feminine in German (die Gefahr - the danger).
2. Remembering the Meaning: Imagine someone makes a Drohung (threat) involving a Bombe (bomb). That's a 'Bombendrohung'.

Think of 'die Gefahr' (the danger) – a bomb threat is a specific type of danger, and both are feminine.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:

• Sprengstoffdrohung: (Explosive threat) Very similar, emphasizes the explosive material.
• Anschlagsdrohung (mit Bombe): (Attack threat with bomb) More general, but needs the context of 'bomb'.

Antonyms (Conceptual):

• Entwarnung: (All-clear signal) The official notification that there is no (longer) danger.
• Sicherheit: (Safety, security) The state of being free from danger or threat.
• Frieden: (Peace) Absence of violence and threats.

Similar but Different Terms:

• Fehlalarm: (False alarm) An alarm without actual danger (can be triggered by a bomb threat, but isn't the same thing).
• Bedrohung: (Threat, menace) A more general term for a communicated danger.

😅 A (Difficult) Joke

Ein Witz über Bombendrohungen ist schwierig und meist unangebracht, da das Thema sehr ernst ist und mit Angst und Gefahr verbunden wird. Humor kann hier schnell respektlos wirken. 😟
(A joke about bomb threats is difficult and usually inappropriate, as the topic is very serious and associated with fear and danger. Humor can quickly seem disrespectful here. 😟)

📜 Poem about a Bombendrohung

Ein Anruf nur, ein Wort voll Schrecken,
Die Bombendrohung lässt uns aufschrecken.
Sirenen heulen, Räumung schnell,
Die Angst erfasst den Ort, so grell.
Ein falscher Scherz? Ein ernster Plan?
Die Ungewissheit zieht uns in Bann.
Hoffnung bleibt, dass nichts geschieht,
Und Sicherheit bald wieder blüht.

---

(A call arrives, a word of dread,
The bomb threat makes us raise our head.
Sirens wail, evacuation swift,
Fear grips the place, a chilling gift.
A hoax? A serious design?
Uncertainty draws a stark line.
Hope remains that naught occurs,
And safety soon again assures.)

❓ Riddle

Ich komme oft per Telefon,
Verbreite Angst und ernsten Ton.
Ich leere Plätze, groß und klein,
Bin illegal und gar nicht fein.
Man nimmt mich ernst, sucht nach Gefahr,
Obwohl ich oft nur Lüge war.

Was bin ich?Lösung: die Bombendrohung

---

(I often come via telephone,
Spreading fear and serious tone.
I empty places, large and small,
Am illegal, not nice at all.
I'm taken seriously, danger sought,
Though often I am merely naught (a lie).

What am I?
Solution: the bomb threat / die Bombendrohung)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

Die Bombendrohung is a determinative compound noun. The main word (Determinatum) is 'die Drohung' (the threat), and the determining word (Determinans) is 'die Bombe' (the bomb), which becomes 'Bomben-' in the compound. It specifies the type of threat.

Legal Aspect:

Making a bomb threat, even if it turns out to be false, is a criminal offense in Germany (§ 126 StGB - Disturbing the public peace by threatening criminal offenses) and many other countries. It can be punished with imprisonment or fines.