die  Havarie

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/havaˈʁiː/

🚢 What Exactly Does "die Havarie" Mean?

The German word die Havarie (feminine) generally refers to major damage or an accident, especially in maritime or air transport, where the means of transport (e.g., a ship or aircraft) or its cargo is damaged. However, it can also be used for severe malfunctions or damage to technical installations.

• Main meaning: Serious accident or damage, especially involving ships or aircraft. Often translated as average in maritime law context, or simply accident or damage.
• Other meaning: Serious operational failure or damage to technical systems (e.g., in a power plant).

🚨 Attention: Not every small scratch is a Havarie! It implies serious damage.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Havarie" in Detail

The noun "Havarie" is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is die.

Example Sentences

1. Nach der Havarie des Tankers drohte eine Ölpest.
   (After the tanker's accident/damage, an oil spill threatened.)
2. Die Versicherung untersuchte die Ursachen der Havarie.
   (The insurance company investigated the causes of the damage/accident.)
3. Wegen einer technischen Havarie fiel der Strom im gesamten Stadtteil aus.
   (Due to a technical failure/breakdown, the power went out in the entire district.)
4. Die Bergung des Schiffes nach der schweren Havarie gestaltete sich schwierig.
   (The salvage of the ship after the severe accident/damage proved difficult.)

💡 How is "Havarie" Used?

"Havarie" is often used in formal contexts or technical jargon, especially related to transport (shipping, aviation, less often rail), insurance, and technology.

• Shipping/Aviation: Collision, grounding, fire on board, severe engine failure.
• Technology: Failure of critical components in power plants, production facilities, or IT systems (often referred to as "Systemhavarie" or similar).
• Insurance: In the context of claims settlement, especially for transport insurance (Große Havarie / General Average).

In everyday language, the words "Unfall" (accident) or "Schaden" (damage) are more common for less severe incidents. "Havarie" often emphasizes the severity and complexity of the damaging event.

Comparison:

• Unfall: General term for a sudden, unwanted event causing injury or damage.
• Schaden: The result of an accident or malfunction; the damage itself.
• Havarie: A specific, often severe accident or damage, typically in the transport or technical field.

🧠 Mnemonics for Havarie

For the article 'die': Think of "Die hard situation" when a ship has a Havarie. "Die" is the article.

For the meaning: Imagine a ship having a Havarie and needing heavy repairs. "Havarie" sounds a bit like "heavy repair-ee" (someone needing heavy repairs).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar sounding words: No direct common confusions, but the origin is the French word "avarie".

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Kapitän den ersten Offizier nach der leichten Kollision: "Ist es eine Havarie?"
Antwortet der Offizier: "Nein, Kapitän, nur eine Beule. Aber die Versicherung nennt es sicher 'Totalschaden mit maritimer Komponente'."

Translation:
The captain asks the first officer after the minor collision: "Is it a Havarie (major damage)?"
The officer replies: "No, Captain, just a dent. But the insurance company will surely call it 'total loss with a maritime component'."

📜 Poem about Havarie

Das Schiff auf großer, weiter See,
fährt stolz dahin, oh weh, oh weh!
Ein Knall, ein Ruck, die Not ist hier,
die Havarie, welch schlechtes Zier.
Metall verbogen, Fracht in Gefahr,
so schnell kann enden, was sicher war.

Translation:
The ship on the great, wide sea,
Sails proudly along, oh dear, oh dear!
A bang, a jolt, distress is here,
The Havarie, what bad decor.
Metal bent, cargo in danger,
So quickly can end what was safe before.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Schaden, groß und schwer,
passier' auf See, manchmal auch mehr.
Bin oft ein Fall für die Assekuranz,
bring' Technik manchmal aus der Balanc'.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am damage, large and severe,
I happen at sea, sometimes elsewhere near.
I'm often a case for the insurance trade,
Throwing technology off-balance, I'm afraid.

What am I?

Solution: die Havarie

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Havarie" comes from the French word avarie, which originally referred to damage to ship cargoes incurred at sea. It became established in German, particularly in maritime law and the insurance industry.

Special Feature in Maritime Law: A distinction is made between "Große Havarie" (General Average), where the ship and cargo are intentionally sacrificed or damaged to save them from common danger (costs are shared), and "Kleine Havarie" (Particular Average), where only individual parts of the ship or cargo are damaged.