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A2 noun #3,000 가장 일반적인 6분 분량

die Gefahr

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'die Gefahr' means 'danger'. You might see it on signs like 'Gefahr!' or 'Achtung!'. It is important to remember it is a 'die' word. You use it in very simple sentences like 'Das ist eine Gefahr' (That is a danger). You should recognize it when you see a warning sign in a public place. It is one of the first abstract nouns you learn because of its importance for safety. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just the basic meaning and the feminine gender.
At the A2 level, you start using 'die Gefahr' in more complete sentences. You learn the phrase 'in Gefahr sein' (to be in danger). You can describe simple risks, like 'Das Feuer ist eine Gefahr für das Haus'. You also begin to see compound words like 'Lebensgefahr' (mortal danger). You should be able to understand warnings in public transport or at work. You are expected to know the plural form 'Gefahren' and use basic adjectives like 'groß' or 'klein' to describe the danger.
At the B1 level, you use 'die Gefahr' to express opinions and concerns. You learn the structure 'Es besteht die Gefahr, dass...' (There is a danger that...). You start using it in the context of health, environment, and social issues. You also learn the expression 'Gefahr laufen' (to run the risk). Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'das Risiko'. You can talk about 'Gefahren im Internet' or 'die Gefahr von Plastik'. You are expected to use the word correctly in all four cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive).
At the B2 level, you use 'die Gefahr' in more formal and abstract contexts. You discuss 'Gefahrenpotenzial' (potential for danger) and 'Gefahrenabwehr' (danger prevention). You can distinguish between 'Gefahr', 'Bedrohung', and 'Risiko' with more precision. You use the word in professional discussions, such as 'die Gefahr einer Inflation'. You also learn idiomatic expressions and can write detailed reports about safety measures. You understand the nuance of 'akute Gefahr' versus 'latente Gefahr'.
At the C1 level, you use 'die Gefahr' with high stylistic variety. You use sophisticated adjectives like 'unabsehbar' (unforeseeable) or 'existenzbedrohend' (threatening existence). You can discuss legal concepts like 'Gefahr im Verzug'. You use the word in academic or literary contexts to describe philosophical or societal threats. You are comfortable with the genitive case ('im Angesicht der Gefahr'). You can analyze the 'Gefahrenlage' (danger situation) in complex political scenarios and use the word to influence or persuade an audience.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native mastery of 'die Gefahr'. You can use it in highly specialized fields like law, insurance, or philosophy. You understand the historical etymology and how it relates to other Germanic languages. You can use it in complex metaphors and high-level rhetoric. You are aware of very rare collocations and can play with the word in creative writing. You can discuss the 'Phänomenologie der Gefahr' or use it in legal arguments regarding 'Gefahrenhaftung' (liability for danger).
연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

die Gefahr 30초 만에

  • Die Gefahr is a feminine noun meaning danger or risk.
  • Commonly used in phrases like 'in Gefahr' and 'Gefahr laufen'.
  • It is essential for safety warnings and discussing risks in German.
  • The plural form is 'Gefahren' and the opposite is 'Sicherheit'.

The German noun die Gefahr (plural: die Gefahren) is a fundamental term that translates primarily to 'danger', 'risk', or 'hazard'. At its core, it represents a situation, object, or person that has the potential to cause harm, injury, or loss. Understanding 'die Gefahr' is crucial because it appears in everything from daily street signs to complex legal documents. In the German mindset, 'Gefahr' is often something to be analyzed, averted (abgewehrt), or managed. It is a feminine noun, which means it takes the articles die (nominative/accusative), der (genitive/dative), and its plural form is die Gefahren.

Grammatical Gender
Feminine (die)
Plural Form
Gefahren
Core Concept
Potential for harm or negative outcomes.

"In den Bergen besteht bei diesem Wetter eine große Gefahr von Lawinen." (In the mountains, there is a great danger of avalanches in this weather.)

When we look at the word's application, it spans across physical safety, financial risks, and abstract threats. For instance, 'Lebensgefahr' specifically denotes a life-threatening situation. The word is deeply rooted in the concept of 'fahren' (to travel/go), originally implying the risks encountered during a journey. Today, it is used more broadly. Whether you are talking about the 'Gefahr' of a virus, the 'Gefahr' of losing money, or the 'Gefahr' of a misunderstanding, the word remains the anchor for expressing risk.

"Rauchen ist eine Gefahr für die Gesundheit." (Smoking is a danger to health.)

Synonym
Das Risiko (Risk)
Antonym
Die Sicherheit (Safety)

Furthermore, the word often appears in fixed expressions like 'Gefahr laufen' (to run the risk) or 'außer Gefahr' (out of danger). In a professional context, 'Gefahrenanalyse' (risk analysis) is a standard term in engineering and project management. The versatility of 'Gefahr' makes it one of the top 1000 most useful nouns in the German language.

"Der Patient ist endlich außer Gefahr." (The patient is finally out of danger.)

Using 'die Gefahr' correctly requires attention to its collocations—the words it typically hangs out with. In German, we don't just 'have' danger; we 'recognize' it (erkennen), 'avoid' it (vermeiden), or 'banish' it (bannen). The most common verb used with 'Gefahr' is bestehen (to exist). For example, 'Es besteht die Gefahr, dass...' (There is a danger that...).

Common Verb: Bestehen
Used to indicate the presence of danger.
Common Verb: Drohen
Used when danger is imminent or threatening.

"Es besteht die Gefahr, dass wir den Zug verpassen." (There is a danger/risk that we will miss the train.)

Another important structure is the prepositional phrase in Gefahr. If someone is 'in danger', they are 'in Gefahr'. If they are 'at risk of' something, you use 'in Gefahr sein, etwas zu verlieren'. Note that 'Gefahr' is often followed by the preposition für (for) to indicate who or what is being threatened.

"Die Tiere sind in Gefahr." (The animals are in danger.)

When describing the intensity of the danger, use adjectives like groß (great), akut (acute/imminent), latent (latent), or tödlich (deadly). 'Eine tödliche Gefahr' is a deadly danger. In legal and official German, you might encounter 'Gefahr im Verzug', which means 'danger in delay'—a situation where immediate action is required to prevent harm.

"Hier herrscht Lebensgefahr!" (There is a danger to life here! / Mortal danger!)

You will encounter 'die Gefahr' in several distinct environments. The most immediate is in public safety. Warning signs in Germany are very specific. You will see 'Gefahr' on high-voltage fences, construction sites, and chemical containers. The yellow triangle with an exclamation mark is the universal symbol for 'Gefahr'.

"Achtung! Gefahr! Hochspannung! Lebensgefahr!" (Attention! Danger! High voltage! Mortal danger!)

In the news (Nachrichten), journalists use 'Gefahr' to discuss political instability, environmental threats, or economic risks. You might hear: 'Die Gefahr eines Krieges wächst' (The danger of a war is growing). In weather reports, 'Unwettergefahr' (danger of severe weather) or 'Glättegefahr' (danger of icy roads) are common terms.

"Es besteht keine Gefahr für die Bevölkerung." (There is no danger to the population.)

In daily conversation, Germans might use it more figuratively. 'Du läufst Gefahr, dich zu erkälten' (You run the risk of catching a cold). It is also a staple in video games and movies, where characters might shout 'Gefahr voraus!' (Danger ahead!).

"Wir müssen die Gefahr ernst nehmen." (We must take the danger seriously.)

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing 'Gefahr' with 'Risiko'. While they are often interchangeable, 'Gefahr' usually implies a more direct, often physical threat, whereas 'Risiko' is more about a calculated chance of loss, often in financial or strategic contexts. You 'take' a risk (ein Risiko eingehen), but you 'are in' danger (in Gefahr sein).

Mistake: Gender
Saying 'das Gefahr' instead of 'die Gefahr'.
Mistake: Plural
Saying 'Gefahre' instead of 'Gefahren'.

Incorrect: "Das ist ein großes Gefahr."
Correct: "Das ist eine große Gefahr."

Another mistake involves the preposition. English speakers often say 'danger of' and translate it literally as 'Gefahr von'. While 'Gefahr von' is used (e.g., 'Gefahr von Lawinen'), it is often more natural in German to use a compound noun or the preposition 'für'. For example, 'danger to health' is 'Gefahr für die Gesundheit', not 'Gefahr der Gesundheit'.

"Es besteht die Gefahr, dass..." (NOT 'Es ist die Gefahr, dass...')

To truly master 'die Gefahr', you should know its 'siblings' in the German language. Das Risiko is the most common synonym, used when talking about probability and potential loss. Die Bedrohung (threat) is used when the danger is active or coming from a specific source, like a person or a country.

Die Bedrohung
A threat; more active and targeted than a general danger.
Das Wagnis
A daring venture; a risk taken voluntarily.

"Der Klimawandel ist eine globale Bedrohung." (Climate change is a global threat.)

Then there is die Gefährdung. This is a more technical or legal term meaning 'endangerment'. For example, 'Kindeswohlgefährdung' (endangerment of a child's welfare). Die Unsicherheit (uncertainty) is a softer word, used when the danger is not yet clear but things are not safe either.

"Er liebt das Wagnis." (He loves the daring venture/risk.)

How Formal Is It?

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라임이 맞는 단어
Haar bar klar

난이도

알아야 할 문법

수준별 예문

1

Achtung, Gefahr!

Attention, danger!

Exclamation using a noun.

2

Das ist eine Gefahr.

That is a danger.

Simple nominative sentence.

3

Ist das eine Gefahr?

Is that a danger?

Question form.

4

Keine Gefahr!

No danger!

Negation with 'keine'.

5

Die Gefahr ist klein.

The danger is small.

Subject + Verb + Adjective.

6

Wo ist die Gefahr?

Where is the danger?

W-question.

7

Hier ist Gefahr.

Here is danger.

Adverb of place + Verb + Noun.

8

Die Gefahr ist groß.

The danger is big.

Feminine article 'die'.

1

Wir sind in Gefahr.

We are in danger.

Prepositional phrase 'in Gefahr'.

2

Das Feuer ist eine große Gefahr.

The fire is a big danger.

Adjective 'große' matching feminine noun.

3

Er sieht die Gefahr nicht.

He doesn't see the danger.

Accusative object.

4

Es gibt viele Gefahren.

There are many dangers.

Plural form 'Gefahren'.

5

Das ist eine Gefahr für Kinder.

That is a danger for children.

Preposition 'für' + Accusative.

6

Die Gefahr ist vorbei.

The danger is over.

Adverb 'vorbei' used as a predicate.

7

Rauchen ist eine Gefahr für die Gesundheit.

Smoking is a danger to health.

Abstract noun usage.

8

Helfen Sie mir, ich bin in Gefahr!

Help me, I am in danger!

Imperative + 'in Gefahr'.

1

Es besteht die Gefahr, dass es regnet.

There is a danger that it will rain.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

2

Du läufst Gefahr, deinen Job zu verlieren.

You run the risk of losing your job.

Idiom 'Gefahr laufen'.

3

Wir müssen die Gefahr ernst nehmen.

We must take the danger seriously.

Modal verb + 'ernst nehmen'.

4

Trotz der Gefahr gingen sie nach draußen.

Despite the danger, they went outside.

Genitive after 'trotz'.

5

Er hat die Gefahr rechtzeitig erkannt.

He recognized the danger in time.

Perfect tense.

6

Die Gefahr für die Umwelt ist groß.

The danger to the environment is great.

Prepositional object.

7

In dieser Situation besteht keine Gefahr.

In this situation, there is no danger.

Negative existence.

8

Sie sind außer Gefahr.

They are out of danger.

Phrase 'außer Gefahr'.

1

Die Gefahr einer Infektion ist gestiegen.

The danger of an infection has increased.

Genitive attribute 'einer Infektion'.

2

Wir müssen Maßnahmen zur Gefahrenabwehr treffen.

We must take measures for danger prevention.

Compound noun 'Gefahrenabwehr'.

3

Es handelt sich um eine akute Gefahr.

It is an acute danger.

Verb 'sich handeln um'.

4

Die Lawinengefahr in den Alpen ist hoch.

The avalanche danger in the Alps is high.

Compound noun 'Lawinengefahr'.

5

Man darf die Gefahr nicht unterschätzen.

One must not underestimate the danger.

Verb 'unterschätzen'.

6

Die Gefahr geht von diesem Virus aus.

The danger emanates from this virus.

Verb 'ausgehen von'.

7

Es besteht die latente Gefahr eines Streiks.

There is a latent danger of a strike.

Adjective 'latent'.

8

Die Gefahr wurde erfolgreich gebannt.

The danger was successfully averted/banished.

Passive voice + 'bannen'.

1

Gefahr im Verzug rechtfertigt das Handeln der Polizei.

Danger in delay justifies the police's action.

Legal term 'Gefahr im Verzug'.

2

Die Gefahr einer Eskalation ist allgegenwärtig.

The danger of an escalation is omnipresent.

Adjective 'allgegenwärtig'.

3

Angesichts der drohenden Gefahr flohen die Menschen.

In view of the threatening danger, the people fled.

Preposition 'angesichts' + Genitive.

4

Die Gefahr ist subtil und schwer zu fassen.

The danger is subtle and hard to grasp.

Adjective 'subtil'.

5

Man muss das Gefahrenpotenzial genau analysieren.

One must analyze the danger potential precisely.

Compound 'Gefahrenpotenzial'.

6

Die Gefahr einer Spaltung der Gesellschaft wächst.

The danger of a split in society is growing.

Abstract social context.

7

Es ist eine existenzbedrohende Gefahr für die Firma.

It is an existence-threatening danger for the company.

Compound adjective.

8

Die Gefahr liegt im Detail.

The danger lies in the detail.

Metaphorical usage.

1

Die philosophische Auseinandersetzung mit der Gefahr ist komplex.

The philosophical engagement with danger is complex.

Nominalization.

2

Die Gefahr lauert dort, wo man sie am wenigsten vermutet.

Danger lurks where one least expects it.

Verb 'lauern'.

3

In der Gefahrenhaftung wird ohne Verschulden gehaftet.

In strict liability (danger liability), one is liable without fault.

Legal term 'Gefahrenhaftung'.

4

Die Gefahr ist ein immanenter Bestandteil des Lebens.

Danger is an immanent part of life.

Adjective 'immanent'.

5

Die Verharmlosung der Gefahr führte zur Katastrophe.

The downplaying of the danger led to the catastrophe.

Noun 'Verharmlosung'.

6

Die Gefahr wurde durch präventive Maßnahmen minimiert.

The danger was minimized through preventive measures.

Passive voice + 'minimieren'.

7

Eine latente Gefahr kann jederzeit virulent werden.

A latent danger can become virulent at any time.

Academic vocabulary.

8

Die Gefahr ist die Kehrseite der Freiheit.

Danger is the flip side of freedom.

Metaphorical/Philosophical.

자주 쓰는 조합

Gefahr bestehen
Gefahr erkennen
Gefahr vermeiden
Gefahr abwenden
in Gefahr sein
außer Gefahr sein
akute Gefahr
große Gefahr
drohende Gefahr
Gefahr laufen

자주 쓰는 구문

Gefahr im Verzug

In Gefahr und größter Not bringt der Mittelweg den Tod

Auf eigene Gefahr

Gefahr erkannt, Gefahr gebannt

Sich einer Gefahr aussetzen

Keine Gefahr!

In Gefahr schweben

Die Gefahr unterschätzen

Eine Gefahr heraufbeschwören

Aus der Gefahr retten

자주 혼동되는 단어

die Gefahr vs das Risiko

die Gefahr vs die Bedrohung

die Gefahr vs der Gefährte

관용어 및 표현

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혼동하기 쉬운

die Gefahr vs der Gefährte

die Gefahr vs gefährlich

die Gefahr vs gefährden

문장 패턴

사용법

legal

Gefahr im Verzug allows immediate police action.

distinction

Gefahr is the threat; Risiko is the probability of the threat occurring.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'das' instead of 'die'.
  • Saying 'in der Gefahr' instead of the fixed phrase 'in Gefahr'.
  • Confusing 'Gefahr' with 'Gefährte'.
  • Using 'haben' instead of 'bestehen' (e.g., 'Es hat eine Gefahr').
  • Incorrect plural form 'Gefahre'.

팁

Gender Tip

Always associate 'Gefahr' with the color red and the word 'die' to remember its gender.

Compound Nouns

German loves compounds. Look out for words like 'Brandgefahr' (fire hazard) or 'Explosionsgefahr'.

Bestehen

Use the verb 'bestehen' to sound more like a native when talking about danger existing.

Signs

If you see a sign with 'Gefahr', stop and read the specific warning below it.

Gefahr gebannt

Memorize 'Gefahr erkannt, Gefahr gebannt'—it's a great rhyme for 'problem solved'.

Genitive

In formal writing, use the genitive: 'Die Gefahr des Klimawandels' sounds better than 'von dem Klimawandel'.

Emphasis

Stress the second syllable: Ge-FAHR.

Context

In news, 'Gefahr' often introduces a serious topic. Pay attention to the following nouns.

Word Family

Learn 'gefährlich' (dangerous) at the same time to double your vocabulary.

Legal Terms

Understanding 'Gefahr im Verzug' helps you understand German news and crime shows.

암기하기

시각적 연상

A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark.

어원

Middle High German 'gevāre', from Old High German 'fāra' (ambush, deceit, danger).

문화적 맥락

'Gefahr erkannt, Gefahr gebannt' is a very common saying.

'Gefahr im Verzug' is a common term in police dramas and news.

Germany has very strict 'Unfallverhütungsvorschriften' (accident prevention regulations).

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실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Welche Gefahren siehst du im Internet?"

"Warst du schon einmal in einer großen Gefahr?"

"Wie kann man die Gefahr von Unfällen im Haushalt reduzieren?"

"Glaubst du, dass wir die Gefahr des Klimawandels unterschätzen?"

"Was ist für dich die größte Gefahr im Alltag?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du in Gefahr warst.

Welche Gefahren gibt es in deinem Beruf oder Studium?

Wie wichtig ist dir Sicherheit im Vergleich zum Risiko?

Schreibe über eine globale Gefahr, die dich beunruhigt.

Was bedeutet der Satz 'Gefahr erkannt, Gefahr gebannt' für dich?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, 'die Gefahr' is always feminine in German. This means you use 'die' in the nominative and accusative cases.

The plural is 'die Gefahren'. It follows the standard feminine plural ending '-en'.

You say 'in Gefahr'. For example: 'Ich bin in Gefahr'. Note that the article is usually dropped in this phrase.

Gefahr is a general threat or hazard. Risiko is often used for calculated or financial risks.

Yes, but often a genitive or a compound noun is more natural, like 'die Gefahr des Regens' or 'Regengefahr'.

It is a legal term meaning 'danger in delay', requiring immediate action without waiting for official permission.

Yes, a person can be a 'Gefahr', for example: 'Er ist eine Gefahr für uns alle'.

The phrase is 'außer Gefahr'. For example: 'Der Patient ist außer Gefahr'.

It means 'mortal danger' or 'danger to life'. You see it on many warning signs.

It means 'to run the risk'. Example: 'Du läufst Gefahr, zu spät zu kommen'.

셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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