die
Gefahr
🤔 What does "die Gefahr" mean?
Die Gefahr (noun, feminine) refers to a state or situation that could potentially cause harm, pain, loss, or destruction. It's the possibility that something negative or harmful might happen.
- It describes a risk or a threat.
- It can relate to physical, emotional, financial, or other kinds of harm.
🚨 There's only one meaning and one article for "Gefahr", which is die. Don't confuse it with similar-sounding words.
📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Gefahr
"Gefahr" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Gefahr |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Gefahr |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Gefahr |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Gefahr |
Declension Plural
The plural "die Gefahren" is used to refer to specific, concrete threats or risky situations.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gefahren |
| Genitive | der | Gefahren |
| Dative | den | Gefahren |
| Accusative | die | Gefahren |
📝 Example Sentences
- Im Dschungel lauert hinter jedem Baum eine Gefahr.
(In the jungle, a danger lurks behind every tree.) - Er war sich der Gefahr nicht bewusst.
(He was not aware of the danger.) - Sie entkamen nur knapp der Gefahr.
(They narrowly escaped the danger.) - Er erkannte die Gefahr sofort.
(He recognized the danger immediately.) - Die Gefahren des Internets sind vielfältig.
(The dangers of the internet are diverse.)
💡 Usage in Context
"Die Gefahr" is frequently used to warn about risks or point out threatening circumstances.
Typical Phrases:
- in Gefahr sein/schweben: to be in danger. (Example: Die Bergsteiger waren in großer Gefahr. - The mountaineers were in great danger.)
- Gefahr laufen (, etwas zu tun): to run the risk (of doing something). (Example: Wer zu schnell fährt, läuft Gefahr, einen Unfall zu verursachen. - Whoever drives too fast runs the risk of causing an accident.)
- außer Gefahr sein: to be out of danger. (Example: Nach der Operation war der Patient außer Gefahr. - After the operation, the patient was out of danger.)
- eine Gefahr darstellen/bilden: to pose a threat/danger. (Example: Das alte Gebäude stellt eine Gefahr für die Anwohner dar. - The old building poses a danger to the residents.)
- auf eigene Gefahr: at one's own risk. (Example: Betreten der Baustelle auf eigene Gefahr! - Enter the construction site at your own risk!)
Distinction from similar words:
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Gefahr"
Article Mnemonic:
Think: Die is the feminine article. Danger can feel like a powerful, unpredictable force, sometimes associated with feminine archetypes in stories (like a siren's call - DIE Sirene). Or remember the phrase: "Die Warnung vor der Gefahr" (The warning about the danger) - both Warnung and Gefahr are feminine.
Meaning Mnemonic:
"Gefahr" sounds a bit like the English word "fear". When there is Gefahr (danger), you often feel fear.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Risiko (das): risk (often more calculated)
- Bedrohung (die): threat (often a specific source)
- Wagnis (das): venture, gamble (act of taking a risk)
- Gefährdung (die): endangerment, jeopardy
- Unsicherheit (die): uncertainty, insecurity
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Sicherheit (die): safety, security
- Geborgenheit (die): sense of security, comfort
- Schutz (der): protection
- Ungefährlichkeit (die): harmlessness
- Gewissheit (die): certainty
⚠️ Similar words (Potential Confusion):
😂 A Little Joke
Deutsch: Warum nehmen Skelette keine Risiken auf sich? – Weil sie Angst haben, Haut und Knochen zu riskieren – sie haben ja nur noch Knochen! 😉
English: Why don't skeletons take risks? – Because they're afraid to risk skin and bones – they only have bones left! 😉
✒️ Poem about Danger
Die Gefahr, ein Schatten leis,
Schleicht sich an auf dunklem Gleis.
Mal sichtbar, mal versteckt,
Hat manchen Plan durchkreuzt, erschreckt.
Doch Mut und Vorsicht, Hand in Hand,
Bannen die Gefahr aus Land.
--- English Translation ---
The Danger, a shadow soft and low,
Creeps along a dark track, slow.
Sometimes seen, sometimes concealed,
Has thwarted plans, made fear revealed.
But courage and caution, hand in hand,
Banish danger from the land.
🕵️ Riddle Time
Deutsch:
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch ich kann bedrohen.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch man hört mein Drohen.
Man meidet mich, doch manchmal sucht man mich im Spiel.
Wer unvorsichtig ist, dem werd' ich schnell zu viel.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have no body, yet I can threaten.
I have no voice, yet my threat is heard.
People avoid me, yet sometimes seek me in a game.
For those who are careless, I quickly become too much.
What am I?
Solution: Die Gefahr (Danger)
🧐 Further Information
Etymology (Word Origin):
The word "Gefahr" comes from Middle High German "gevār(e)", which originally meant "ambush, pursuit, deceit". It's related to the verb "fahren" in the sense of "to pursue someone, to lie in wait". The modern meaning of "risk, threatening situation" evolved from this.
Word Formations (Related Words):
- gefährlich (adjective: dangerous)
- gefährden (verb: to endanger)
- Gefährdung (noun: endangerment)
- Lebensgefahr (noun: mortal danger, danger to life)
- Brandgefahr (noun: fire hazard)
- Unfallgefahr (noun: risk of accident)
Summary: is it der, die or das Gefahr?
The German word Gefahr is feminine. The correct article is always die. It means danger or risk. The plural is die Gefahren.