vorsichtig 30秒で
- Vorsichtig means 'careful' or 'cautious' in German.
- It is used for physical safety, social tact, and professional prudence.
- It functions as both an adjective and an adverb without changing form (except for declension).
- Commonly used with the preposition 'mit' (with) or 'bei' (at/during).
The German adjective vorsichtig is a fundamental building block of the language, primarily used to describe an attitude of care, caution, or prudence. At its core, it describes a person who acts with foresight to avoid danger, mistakes, or negative consequences. In English, it most directly translates to 'careful' or 'cautious'. However, its usage spans from physical safety (watching your step) to social tact (choosing words carefully) and even financial or professional prudence (making conservative estimates).
- Physical Safety
- Used when navigating physical environments, such as walking on ice or handling fragile objects. It implies a slow, deliberate movement.
- Social Interaction
- Used when one is hesitant to share information or is being diplomatic to avoid offending others.
- Analytical Approach
- In professional contexts, it describes a 'conservative' or 'guarded' approach to data or predictions.
"Sei bitte vorsichtig, die Straße ist heute sehr glatt." (Please be careful, the road is very slippery today.)
Etymologically, the word is a compound of vor- (before/pre-) and Sicht (sight/view), followed by the adjectival suffix -ig. Literally, it means 'fore-sighted'—having the ability to look ahead and anticipate what might happen. This 'looking ahead' is what distinguishes someone who is vorsichtig from someone who is merely slow; the caution is purposeful and preventative.
"Wir müssen bei diesem Projekt sehr vorsichtig vorgehen." (We must proceed very cautiously with this project.)
- Synonym: Behutsam
- Focuses more on gentleness and delicacy, like holding a baby.
- Synonym: Umsichtig
- Focuses on being circumspect and considering all factors around you.
"Man sollte mit solchen Behauptungen vorsichtig sein." (One should be careful with such claims.)
Using vorsichtig correctly involves understanding its grammatical flexibility. As an adjective, it follows standard German declension rules based on the gender, case, and number of the noun it modifies. As an adverb, it remains undeclined. It is most frequently paired with the verb sein (to be) or verbs of movement and action like fahren (to drive), gehen (to go/walk), or handeln (to act).
Common Grammatical Patterns
- Sein + vorsichtig: "Ich bin vorsichtig." (I am careful.)
- Vorsichtig + Verb: "Sie öffnet vorsichtig das Paket." (She carefully opens the package.)
- Vorsichtig mit + Dative: "Sei vorsichtig mit dem Messer!" (Be careful with the knife!)
- Vorsichtig bei + Dative: "Vorsichtig bei der Arbeit!" (Careful at work!)
When you want to intensify the meaning, you can use adverbs like sehr (very), äußerst (extremely), or besonders (especially). Conversely, to soften it, use etwas (somewhat) or ein bisschen (a little bit). In professional German, you might encounter the phrase vorsichtig geschätzt, which means 'conservatively estimated', indicating that the speaker is providing a figure that is likely to be safe or under-promised.
"Nach einer vorsichtigen Kalkulation werden wir drei Monate brauchen." (According to a cautious calculation, we will need three months.)
One nuance to remember is the difference between vorsichtig and ängstlich (anxious/fearful). While vorsichtig is generally seen as a positive, rational trait (avoiding unnecessary risk), ängstlich implies a lack of courage or being driven by fear. Therefore, calling someone vorsichtig is usually a compliment to their judgment, whereas ängstlich might be perceived as a criticism.
You will encounter vorsichtig in almost every facet of German life. It is one of the first 'safety' words taught to children and remains relevant through senior management meetings. Here are the primary contexts:
1. Daily Life and Safety
Parents constantly say "Pass auf!" or "Sei vorsichtig!" to children. On public transport, you might hear announcements about being careful when stepping off the train: "Bitte seien Sie beim Aussteigen vorsichtig." (Please be careful when disembarking.)
2. Professional and Business Contexts
In business, being vorsichtig is often synonymous with being 'risk-averse' or 'diligent'. You will hear it in meetings regarding budget planning, legal contracts, or new market entries. Phrases like "Wir sollten hier vorsichtig agieren" (We should act cautiously here) are common when there is uncertainty.
3. News and Media
News anchors use the word when reporting on unconfirmed reports or sensitive political situations. They might say, "Die Polizei ist mit Informationen noch vorsichtig" (The police are still being cautious with information), meaning they aren't releasing details yet to avoid spreading misinformation.
4. Social and Interpersonal Nuance
When someone wants to give feedback without being too harsh, they might start with, "Ich möchte das mal vorsichtig so ausdrücken..." (I'd like to put it cautiously this way...). It serves as a linguistic buffer to soften the blow of a critique or a difficult truth.
Even though vorsichtig is a straightforward word, learners often make specific errors in its application or prepositional usage.
1. Confusing 'Vorsichtig' with 'Vorsicht'
The most common mistake is using the adjective when the noun is required. Vorsicht! is the exclamation for "Watch out!" or "Caution!". You cannot say "Vorsichtig!" as a standalone warning in the same way, although people will understand you. Always use the noun for immediate danger.
2. Wrong Prepositions
Learners often translate directly from English and say "vorsichtig *über*" (careful about). In German, you are vorsichtig mit (with) an object or vorsichtig bei (at/during) an activity.
❌ *Sei vorsichtig über das Feuer.*
✅ Sei vorsichtig mit dem Feuer.
3. Overusing it for 'Gentle'
While vorsichtig can mean gentle, if you are talking about being physically soft (like touching a fabric or petting an animal), sanft or behutsam is often a better fit. Vorsichtig implies the prevention of damage, while sanft implies a quality of touch.
4. Adverbial Endings
English speakers often try to add an '-ly' equivalent. Remember: "Er fährt vorsichtig" is correct. Adding an '-e' or '-er' ending only happens when it's an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "ein vorsichtiger Fahrer").
To truly master German, you need to know the 'cousins' of vorsichtig and when to use them instead.
- Behutsam
- This word carries a connotation of 'gentle' and 'tender'. You use it when handling a newborn baby or a very fragile antique. It's more about the 'how' of the touch than the 'why' of the danger.
- Umsichtig
- This means 'circumspect' or 'prudent'. It implies looking in all directions (um-sichtig). A good manager is umsichtig because they consider all risks and stakeholders before making a decision.
- Wachsam
- This translates to 'vigilant' or 'watchful'. It's more active than vorsichtig. A security guard is wachsam; they are actively looking for threats, not just being careful in their own movements.
- Besonnen
- This means 'level-headed' or 'composed'. It describes a personality trait of someone who stays calm and thinks before acting, especially in a crisis.
- Diskret
- When 'careful' refers to keeping secrets or not being noticed, diskret is the better choice.
Choosing the right synonym depends on whether the focus is on physical safety, emotional intelligence, or strategic planning.
How Formal Is It?
発音ガイド
難易度
知っておくべき文法
Adjective declension
Adverbial usage of adjectives
Prepositions with Dative (mit, bei)
Imperative mood
Comparative and Superlative forms
レベル別の例文
Sei vorsichtig!
Be careful!
Imperative form of 'sein'.
Ich fahre vorsichtig.
I drive carefully.
Adverbial use.
Das Glas ist vorsichtig zu tragen.
The glass is to be carried carefully.
Adjective modifying the action.
Sei vorsichtig mit dem Hund.
Be careful with the dog.
Preposition 'mit' + Dative.
Er geht vorsichtig über die Straße.
He walks carefully across the street.
Adverbial use.
Vorsichtig! Die Suppe ist heiß.
Careful! The soup is hot.
Exclamatory use.
Meine Mutter ist sehr vorsichtig.
My mother is very careful.
Predicative adjective.
Wir müssen vorsichtig sein.
We must be careful.
Modal verb 'müssen' + infinitive.
Er ist ein vorsichtiger Fahrer.
He is a careful driver.
Adjective declension (masculine nominative).
Warum bist du so vorsichtig?
Why are you so careful?
Question with 'warum'.
Sie öffnet das Geschenk vorsichtig.
She opens the gift carefully.
Adverbial use.
Man muss bei Glatteis vorsichtig gehen.
One must walk carefully on black ice.
Preposition 'bei' + Dative.
Ich bin vorsichtig, weil es dunkel ist.
I am careful because it is dark.
Subordinate clause with 'weil'.
Seid vorsichtig mit euren Sachen!
Be careful with your things!
Imperative plural.
Er hat die Nachricht vorsichtig gelesen.
He read the message carefully.
Perfect tense.
Vorsichtige Menschen leben länger.
Careful people live longer.
Adjective declension (plural nominative).
Ich bin vorsichtig optimistisch für die Zukunft.
I am cautiously optimistic for the future.
Adverbial use modifying an adjective.
Wir sollten vorsichtig mit unseren Ressourcen umgehen.
We should handle our resources carefully.
Modal verb + 'umgehen mit'.
Sie formulierte ihre Kritik sehr vorsichtig.
She formulated her criticism very carefully.
Präteritum (simple past).
Trotz aller Vorsicht passierte ein Unfall.
Despite all caution, an accident happened.
Noun 'Vorsicht' after 'trotz' (Genitive/Dative).
Er tastete sich vorsichtig an das Thema heran.
He cautiously approached the topic.
Reflexive verb 'sich herantasten'.
Man muss vorsichtig sein, was man im Internet teilt.
One must be careful about what one shares on the internet.
Indirect question clause.
Das ist eine vorsichtige Schätzung der Kosten.
That is a cautious estimate of the costs.
Adjective declension (feminine nominative).
Sei vorsichtig, wem du vertraust.
Be careful who you trust.
Relative clause with 'wem'.
Die Regierung agiert in dieser Krise sehr vorsichtig.
The government is acting very cautiously in this crisis.
Adverbial use in a political context.
Ein vorsichtiger Umgang mit Daten ist heutzutage essenziell.
A careful handling of data is essential nowadays.
Nominalized phrase.
Er gab eine vorsichtige Prognose für das nächste Quartal ab.
He gave a cautious forecast for the next quarter.
Collocation: 'Prognose abgeben'.
Man sollte vorsichtig gegenüber neuen Technologien sein.
One should be cautious towards new technologies.
Preposition 'gegenüber' + Dative.
Die Polizei gab nur vorsichtige Informationen bekannt.
The police only released cautious information.
Adjective declension (plural accusative).
Wir müssen die Situation vorsichtig sondieren.
We must cautiously probe the situation.
Formal verb 'sondieren'.
Vorsichtig ausgedrückt, ist das Projekt gescheitert.
Put cautiously, the project has failed.
Participle construction.
Sie ist bekannt für ihre vorsichtige Art.
She is known for her cautious nature.
Preposition 'für' + Accusative.
Die diplomatischen Beziehungen erfordern ein vorsichtiges Vorgehen.
Diplomatic relations require a cautious approach.
Formal vocabulary 'Vorgehen'.
In der Wissenschaft ist man mit vorschnellen Schlüssen vorsichtig.
In science, one is cautious with premature conclusions.
Dative plural 'Schlüssen'.
Das Gericht bewertete die Zeugenaussage vorsichtig.
The court evaluated the witness testimony cautiously.
Legal context.
Eine vorsichtige Annäherung der beiden Parteien ist erkennbar.
A cautious rapprochement of the two parties is visible.
Abstract noun 'Annäherung'.
Er wählte seine Worte mit äußerster Vorsicht.
He chose his words with extreme caution.
Noun 'Vorsicht' with superlative adjective.
Vorsichtige Zurückhaltung prägte die Verhandlungen.
Cautious restraint characterized the negotiations.
Complex subject.
Man muss die historischen Quellen vorsichtig interpretieren.
One must interpret historical sources carefully.
Academic context.
Die Investoren reagierten vorsichtig auf die Marktschwankungen.
Investors reacted cautiously to market fluctuations.
Preposition 'auf' + Accusative.
Das Vorsichtsprinzip ist ein Eckpfeiler des deutschen Handelsrechts.
The precautionary principle is a cornerstone of German commercial law.
Compound noun 'Vorsichtsprinzip'.
In seiner vorsichtigen Abwägung aller Vor- und Nachteile kam er zu diesem Schluss.
In his cautious weighing of all pros and cons, he came to this conclusion.
Complex prepositional phrase.
Die Nuancen seiner vorsichtigen Rhetorik wurden oft missverstanden.
The nuances of his cautious rhetoric were often misunderstood.
Genitive construction.
Es bedarf einer vorsichtigen Gratwanderung zwischen Freiheit und Sicherheit.
It requires a cautious balancing act between freedom and security.
Idiomatic 'Gratwanderung'.
Die vorsichtige Handhabung dieses diplomatischen Eklats verhinderte Schlimmeres.
The cautious handling of this diplomatic scandal prevented worse.
Nominalized action.
Man sollte die Ergebnisse dieser Studie nur mit Vorsicht genießen.
One should take the results of this study with a grain of salt (lit. enjoy with caution).
Idiom 'mit Vorsicht genießen'.
Seine vorsichtige Skepsis erwies sich letztlich als begründet.
His cautious skepticism ultimately proved to be justified.
Abstract noun phrase.
Die vorsichtige Auslegung des Vertrages lässt Spielraum für Interpretationen.
The cautious interpretation of the contract leaves room for interpretation.
Legal terminology 'Auslegung'.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
よく混同される語
慣用句と表現
間違えやすい
文型パターン
使い方
Vorsichtig (careful) vs. Ängstlich (fearful).
Use 'mit' for objects, 'bei' for activities.
- Using 'Vorsichtig!' as a shout.
- Saying 'vorsichtig über'.
- Adding '-ly' to the adverb.
- Confusing it with 'ängstlich'.
- Forgetting adjective endings.
ヒント
Adjective Declension
Remember to add the correct ending when 'vorsichtig' comes before a noun. For example: 'ein vorsichtiger Mann'.
Noun Form
Learn the noun 'die Vorsicht' alongside the adjective to expand your range.
Imperative
Use 'Sei vorsichtig!' (singular) or 'Seid vorsichtig!' (plural) to warn friends.
Business German
Use 'vorsichtig geschätzt' to sound professional when giving numbers.
Public Announcements
Listen for 'Vorsicht!' on train platforms; it's a very common safety warning.
Nuance
Use 'vorsichtig' to soften a critical statement in an email.
Word Roots
Remember 'vor' (before) + 'Sicht' (sight) to help you remember the meaning.
The 'ig' ending
The 'ig' at the end sounds like the 'ch' in 'ich' in standard German.
Porcelain Box
Learn the proverb 'Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste' to sound like a native.
Warning
If you need to shout a warning, just use 'Vorsicht!' instead of the full sentence.
暗記しよう
語源
Middle High German 'vorsihtec'
文化的な背景
Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste.
Cautious estimates are preferred over over-promising in German business.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
会話のきっかけ
"Bist du ein vorsichtiger Mensch?"
"Wann muss man besonders vorsichtig sein?"
"Warst du schon mal unvorsichtig?"
"Ist Vorsicht immer gut?"
"Wie vorsichtig bist du mit deinen Daten?"
日記のテーマ
Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du vorsichtig sein musstest.
Ist 'Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste' ein gutes Motto?
Warum ist Vorsicht im Beruf wichtig?
Schreibe über einen vorsichtigen Freund.
Was passiert, wenn man nicht vorsichtig ist?
よくある質問
10 問'Vorsicht' is a noun meaning 'caution' or an exclamation meaning 'Watch out!'. 'Vorsichtig' is the adjective/adverb meaning 'careful' or 'carefully'.
Yes, but 'behutsam' or 'sanft' is often better for physical gentleness.
Generally positive, implying wisdom and prudence. However, 'übervorsichtig' (over-cautious) can be negative.
You can say 'Sei vorsichtig mit dem Baby', but 'Geh behutsam mit dem Baby um' is more common.
No, in German, adjectives used as adverbs do not change their form.
Usually 'mit' (with) or 'bei' (at/during).
It is pronounced VOR-sich-tig, with the stress on the first syllable.
The most common opposite is 'unvorsichtig' or 'leichtsinnig'.
Yes, in the context of estimates or forecasts ('eine vorsichtige Schätzung').
It is spelled with a 'g' at the end, but in many regions, the 'ig' ending is pronounced like 'ich'.
自分をテスト 180 問
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Vorsichtig is the essential German word for exercising care and foresight. Whether you are crossing a busy street, handling a delicate object, or navigating a sensitive conversation, being 'vorsichtig' ensures you avoid unnecessary risks and mistakes.
- Vorsichtig means 'careful' or 'cautious' in German.
- It is used for physical safety, social tact, and professional prudence.
- It functions as both an adjective and an adverb without changing form (except for declension).
- Commonly used with the preposition 'mit' (with) or 'bei' (at/during).
Adjective Declension
Remember to add the correct ending when 'vorsichtig' comes before a noun. For example: 'ein vorsichtiger Mann'.
Noun Form
Learn the noun 'die Vorsicht' alongside the adjective to expand your range.
Imperative
Use 'Sei vorsichtig!' (singular) or 'Seid vorsichtig!' (plural) to warn friends.
Business German
Use 'vorsichtig geschätzt' to sound professional when giving numbers.
例文
Sei vorsichtig mit dem heißen Kaffee!
関連コンテンツ
generalの関連語
ab
A1〜から（時間・場所の起点）。「明日から休みです。」 (Ab morgen habe ich frei.)
abends
A2晩に / 毎晩。 '晩に本を読みます。'
aber
A1「aber」は英語の「but」にあたり、「しかし」や「でも」という意味です。
abgelegen
B1remote
ablehnen
A2申し出や招待を断る。彼はその申し出を断った。
abschließen
A2鍵をかける。卒業する、または契約を結ぶ（完了する）。
abseits
A2abseitsは、主要な場所や普段通る道から離れたところにあることを意味します。
acht
A1数字の8（はち）。
Achte
A18番目（序数）。
achten
A2（aufを伴って）〜に注意を払う、または（他動詞として）〜を尊敬する。
