In 15 Seconds
- To consciously decide to do something dangerous or uncertain.
- Used for business, love, and life-changing personal decisions.
- Combines the noun 'Risiko' with the specific verb 'eingehen'.
Meaning
This phrase means you are choosing to do something even though you know it might go wrong. It is about being brave or calculated when facing a potential failure or loss.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a new job offer
Ich werde das Risiko eingehen und kündigen.
I will take the risk and quit my job.
In a business meeting about a project
Wir müssen dieses Risiko eingehen, um zu wachsen.
We must take this risk in order to grow.
Texting a friend about a crush
Soll ich das Risiko eingehen und ihn anrufen?
Should I take the risk and call him?
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Versicherungen' (insurances) highly. Taking a risk is often seen as something that needs a safety net. In Swiss business culture, 'Risiko' is handled with extreme precision. Direct democracy also means political risks are weighed by the whole population. Austrians might use 'Schmäh' (humor) to downplay a risk, but the phrase remains a staple in formal Viennese bureaucracy. In Berlin's tech scene, this phrase is used with a more American 'can-do' attitude, often mixed with English terms.
Use with Adjectives
Make your German sound more natural by adding 'kalkuliert' (calculated) or 'unnötig' (unnecessary) before 'Risiko'.
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'sein' in the past tense. 'Ich bin das Risiko eingegangen' is correct. 'Ich habe' is a common mistake.
In 15 Seconds
- To consciously decide to do something dangerous or uncertain.
- Used for business, love, and life-changing personal decisions.
- Combines the noun 'Risiko' with the specific verb 'eingehen'.
What It Means
Think of das Risiko eingehen as stepping into a room where you aren't sure what's inside. In German, you don't just 'take' a risk; you 'enter' or 'go into' it. It implies a conscious decision. You have looked at the danger and decided to proceed anyway. It is about agency and courage.
How To Use It
This phrase is a standard collocation. You usually use it with the verb eingehen. You can say Ich gehe das Risiko ein (I am taking the risk). If you want to talk about a specific risk, you can say Ich gehe dieses Risiko ein. It works perfectly in the past tense too: Er ist das Risiko eingegangen. Use it when the stakes are real. Don't use it for small things like trying a new pizza topping. Use it for things that actually matter.
When To Use It
Use this when discussing career moves or financial investments. It is perfect for heart-to-heart talks about relationships. Imagine you are texting a friend about asking someone out. You might say, 'I'll take the risk of being rejected.' In a business meeting, use it to show you are a bold leader. It sounds decisive and professional. It also works when you are debating whether to travel without an umbrella in Berlin.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for tiny, everyday mishaps. If you forget your socks, you didn't 'enter a risk.' That was just a mistake. Also, don't use it if the danger is purely physical and immediate, like jumping off a cliff. For that, Germans might say sich in Gefahr begeben. Das Risiko eingehen is more about calculated choices. It sounds a bit too heavy for trivial jokes.
Cultural Background
Germans are often stereotyped as risk-averse and love their insurance (Versicherung). Because of this, saying you will das Risiko eingehen carries weight. It suggests you have done your homework. You aren't being reckless; you are being bold. It reflects a culture that values planning but respects the 'Macher' (the doer) who takes the leap.
Common Variations
Sometimes you will hear ein Risiko auf sich nehmen. This sounds more like you are carrying a burden. You might also hear ins Risiko gehen in financial contexts. If someone is being too cautious, you can tell them: Kein Risiko, kein Spaß! (No risk, no fun!). This is a very common German-English hybrid phrase used in casual settings.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any context. Just remember the auxiliary verb 'sein' for past tenses and avoid literal translations from English.
Use with Adjectives
Make your German sound more natural by adding 'kalkuliert' (calculated) or 'unnötig' (unnecessary) before 'Risiko'.
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'sein' in the past tense. 'Ich bin das Risiko eingegangen' is correct. 'Ich habe' is a common mistake.
The 'No' Culture
In German business, it is very common to hear 'Wir können dieses Risiko nicht eingehen.' Don't take it personally; it's part of the culture of caution.
Examples
6Ich werde das Risiko eingehen und kündigen.
I will take the risk and quit my job.
Shows a major life decision.
Wir müssen dieses Risiko eingehen, um zu wachsen.
We must take this risk in order to grow.
Professional and decisive tone.
Soll ich das Risiko eingehen und ihn anrufen?
Should I take the risk and call him?
Casual and vulnerable.
Ich gehe das Risiko ein und bleibe noch auf ein Bier.
I'll take the risk and stay for one more beer.
Slightly humorous/relatable.
Bist du bereit, das finanzielle Risiko einzugehen?
Are you ready to take the financial risk?
Serious inquiry about money.
Manchmal muss man einfach ein Risiko eingehen.
Sometimes you just have to take a risk.
General life advice.
Test Yourself
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'eingehen'.
Gestern ___ ich das Risiko ___.
Since it happened 'gestern' (yesterday), we need the Perfekt. 'Eingehen' always takes 'sein'.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch richtig?
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
'Eingehen' is the correct collocation for 'Risiko' in German.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
A: Soll ich den neuen Job annehmen? B: Ja, du solltest ___.
The phrase 'das Risiko eingehen' fits perfectly as advice for a big decision.
In welcher Situation passt dieser Satz am besten?
'Wir können dieses Risiko nicht eingehen, die Kosten sind zu hoch.'
The mention of 'Kosten' (costs) suggests a financial or business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ___ ich das Risiko ___.
Since it happened 'gestern' (yesterday), we need the Perfekt. 'Eingehen' always takes 'sein'.
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
'Eingehen' is the correct collocation for 'Risiko' in German.
A: Soll ich den neuen Job annehmen? B: Ja, du solltest ___.
The phrase 'das Risiko eingehen' fits perfectly as advice for a big decision.
'Wir können dieses Risiko nicht eingehen, die Kosten sind zu hoch.'
The mention of 'Kosten' (costs) suggests a financial or business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, that sounds like a literal translation from English. Use 'Ich gehe das Risiko ein'.
Yes, in this context. 'Ich gehe ein Risiko ein.'
'Gefahr' is the danger itself. 'Risiko' is the statistical or personal chance of that danger happening.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use the Perfekt: 'Ich bin ein Risiko eingegangen.'
Yes, but it might sound a bit dramatic. 'Ich gehe das Risiko ein und esse den alten Joghurt.'
'Wagen' or 'riskieren' are good alternatives.
In some contexts, yes (like a plant dying), but never in the phrase 'ein Risiko eingehen'.
Yes, it is always {das|n} Risiko.
Yes, this is a modern, slightly more informal version often used in business.
Related Phrases
ein Wagnis eingehen
synonymTo undertake a daring venture.
etwas aufs Spiel setzen
similarTo gamble something/put something at stake.
auf Nummer sicher gehen
contrastTo play it safe.
den Sprung ins kalte Wasser wagen
builds onTo jump into the cold water.
