die
Warnung
🚨 What exactly is a Warnung?
Die Warnung (noun, feminine) means a warning, alert, or caution. It refers to information given about a possible danger, an impending disadvantage, or an undesirable event. Its purpose is to inform or alert someone so they can be careful or act accordingly.
- Context 1: Indication of danger (e.g., Sturmwarnung - storm warning, Hochwasserwarnung - flood warning).
- Context 2: Admonition or reprimand (e.g., eine letzte Warnung - a final warning from the boss).
- Context 3: Signal (e.g., Warnblinkanlage - hazard lights on a car).
⚠️ Important: The word Warnung is always feminine, so it's always die Warnung.
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 Spotlight: die Warnung
The noun "Warnung" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Warnung | eine Warnung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Warnung | einer Warnung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Warnung | einer Warnung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Warnung | eine Warnung |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Warnungen | Warnungen / keine Warnungen |
| Genitive | der Warnungen | Warnungen / keiner Warnungen |
| Dative | den Warnungen | Warnungen / keinen Warnungen |
| Accusative | die Warnungen | Warnungen / keine Warnungen |
Example Sentences ✍️
- Der Wetterdienst gab eine Sturmwarnung heraus. (The weather service issued a storm warning.)
- Trotz aller Warnungen ging er allein in den Wald. (Despite all warnings, he went into the forest alone.)
- Dies ist deine letzte Warnung! (This is your final warning!)
- Am Bahnübergang blinkten die roten Warnungen. (The red warnings flashed at the level crossing. - Note: here 'Warnungen' refers to warning lights/signals, hence plural makes sense, although 'Warnsignale' might be more common.)
🗣️ How to use "Warnung"?
"Die Warnung" is frequently used in the context of safety and potential dangers.
- Typical Collocations: eine Warnung aussprechen (to issue a warning), eine Warnung erhalten (to receive a warning), eine Warnung ignorieren (to ignore a warning), eine dringende Warnung (an urgent warning), eine offizielle Warnung (an official warning).
- Context: You find Warnungen on signs (e.g., "Warnung vor dem Hunde!" - Beware of the dog!), in weather reports, in instruction manuals, or even in interpersonal relationships as an admonition.
- Differentiation:
A Warnung can range from a quiet precautionary measure to a loud alarm.
🧠 Mnemonics for Warnung
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think of: die Übung (practice), die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution) – and also die Warnung. The "-ung" ending is a strong clue for "die".
Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Warnung" sounds very similar to the English "warning". Imagine someone holding up a finger and saying: "Be warned! It requires your Achtung (attention)!" This combines the sound and the essence of a Warnung.
↔️ Opposites and Similarities
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Der Alarm: Signal for acute danger.
- Der Hinweis: More neutral information, a hint or note.
- Die Mahnung: Reminder or serious admonition, often related to duty.
- Die Verwarnung: Official reprimand, often a precursor to punishment.
- Der Wink: Subtle hint, often figurative ('Wink mit dem Zaunpfahl' - broad hint).
- Die Vorsichtsmaßnahme: Precautionary measure.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Die Entwarnung: All-clear signal (danger is over).
- Die Beruhigung: Reassurance, calming down.
- Die Sicherheit: Safety, security.
- Die Genehmigung: Permission, approval (opposite of a warning not to do something).
🚨 Caution: Not every synonym fits every context. Alarm is stronger than a general Warnung. A Mahnung often relates to obligations.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette keine Warnungen ernst? (Why don't skeletons take warnings seriously?)
Weil sie direkt durch sie hindurchsehen! (Because they see right through them!) 😉
📜 A Warning in Verse
Ein Schild im Wald, ganz alt und krumm,
Spricht eine Warnung, bleibt nicht stumm.
"Pass auf den Weg, sei stets bereit,
Die Gefahr lauert, nicht mehr weit."
Die Schrift verblasst, die Zeit verrinnt,
Doch wer die Warnung ernst nimmt,
Geht sicher weiter, Schritt für Schritt,
Und kommt gesund zurück, zum Glück!
A sign in the woods, quite old and bent,
Speaks a warning, its message sent.
"Watch the path, be ever aware,
Danger is lurking, beyond compare."
The writing fades, as time flows past,
But those who heed the warning cast,
Walk safely on, with careful tread,
Returning healthy, filled with dread... no more, instead!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich komme oft vor Sturm und Brand,
Manchmal geschrieben, manchmal genannt.
Ich rate dir zur Vorsicht an,
Damit dir nichts geschehen kann.
Wer bin ich?
(I often come before storm and fire,
Sometimes written, sometimes spoken higher.
I advise you to be cautious, friend,
So that no harm can transcend.
What am I?)
(Solution: die Warnung / the warning)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Formation:
The noun "Warnung" is derived from the verb "warnen" (to warn). By adding the suffix "-ung", the verb is nominalized (turned into a noun). This is a very common process in German for forming feminine nouns:
- warnen (verb) → die Warnung (noun)
- üben (to practice) → die Übung (practice)
- meinen (to mean/opine) → die Meinung (opinion)
Related Words:
- warnen: the verb (to warn)
- warnend: present participle / adjective (warning)
- gewarnt: past participle (warned)
- Warnsignal: a warning signal
- Warnstreik: a brief strike meant as a warning (warning strike)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Warnung?
The German word Warnung is always feminine. The correct article is die Warnung. It means a warning, alert, or caution regarding a potential danger or undesirable event.