In 15 Seconds
- To take risks or step out of your comfort zone.
- Used for business, personal growth, or calculated gambles.
- Combines 'Risiken' (risks) with 'eingehen' (to enter/accept).
Meaning
It means choosing to do something even though you might fail or lose something, because you hope for a better result. It is about being brave and accepting uncertainty.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
Wir müssen ein gewisses Risiko eingehen, um zu wachsen.
We must take a certain risk in order to grow.
Encouraging a friend to date
Geh das Risiko ein und frag sie einfach!
Take the risk and just ask her!
Talking about an investment
Ich möchte kein finanzielles Risiko eingehen.
I don't want to take a financial risk.
Cultural Background
Germans are often seen as risk-averse. The phrase 'Sicherheit geht vor' (Safety first) is a common mantra. Therefore, 'Risiken eingehen' is often discussed with a lot of caution. In Switzerland, the financial sector is huge. 'Risiken eingehen' is a technical term used daily in banking and insurance, often with a focus on 'Risikomanagement'. Compared to the US 'fail fast' culture, the German 'Risiken eingehen' is much more about avoiding failure through planning. In Berlin's tech scene, 'Risiken eingehen' is used as a badge of honor, similar to Silicon Valley, showing a shift in cultural values among younger generations.
Use Adjectives
To sound like a pro, always pair it with an adjective like 'kalkuliert' (calculated) or 'unnötig' (unnecessary).
Auxiliary Verb
Remember: 'Ich BIN ein Risiko eingegangen.' Using 'habe' is a very common mistake.
In 15 Seconds
- To take risks or step out of your comfort zone.
- Used for business, personal growth, or calculated gambles.
- Combines 'Risiken' (risks) with 'eingehen' (to enter/accept).
What It Means
Taking a risk means choosing a path without knowing the end. It involves a mix of fear and excitement. You accept that things might go wrong. But you also hope for a great reward. It is about being brave in daily life. Think of it as a leap of faith. You leave the safe harbor for the open sea. It is the opposite of playing it safe.
How To Use It
The verb eingehen usually means to enter or accept. In this context, you "enter into" a risk. You use it with the accusative case in German. The word Risiken is the plural form of Risiko. You can also use the singular ein Risiko. It works just like a normal separable verb. In a sentence, eingehen might split up. For example: "Ich gehe dieses Risiko heute ein."
When To Use It
Use it when talking about big life changes. It fits perfectly in a business meeting. Use it when discussing investments or new projects. It also works for personal matters like love. Tell a friend to take a chance on someone. Use it when you try something scary but fun. It is a very versatile and common expression. It sounds smart and decisive in any conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple mistakes or accidents. If you drop a glass, that is not a risk. Avoid it for things that are purely dangerous. Walking on a thin frozen lake is just gefährlich. It implies a choice with a potential benefit. If there is no benefit, it is just reckless. Don't use it for small, everyday chores like doing dishes.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for loving safety and security. They have insurance for almost everything in life. This is often called Sicherheitsdenken in German. Taking a risk is seen as a serious move. It is not something done lightly or without thought. When a German says this, they mean business. It shows they have weighed the pros and cons carefully. It is a sign of modern, dynamic thinking.
Common Variations
You can say ein kalkuliertes Risiko eingehen. This means you have thought about the dangers. Another common one is kein Risiko eingehen wollen. This means playing it safe and staying cautious. You might also hear ein Wagnis eingehen. That sounds a bit more poetic and old-fashioned. Risikobereitschaft is the noun for being ready for risks. Use these to sound like a native speaker.
Usage Notes
This is a standard collocation. The most important thing is to remember the verb 'eingehen' instead of 'nehmen'. It is perfectly acceptable in both professional and private settings.
Use Adjectives
To sound like a pro, always pair it with an adjective like 'kalkuliert' (calculated) or 'unnötig' (unnecessary).
Auxiliary Verb
Remember: 'Ich BIN ein Risiko eingegangen.' Using 'habe' is a very common mistake.
Context Matters
In a German office, saying 'Wir müssen ein Risiko eingehen' sounds brave; saying 'Wir müssen zocken' (gamble) sounds unprofessional.
Examples
6Wir müssen ein gewisses Risiko eingehen, um zu wachsen.
We must take a certain risk in order to grow.
A very common professional way to suggest innovation.
Geh das Risiko ein und frag sie einfach!
Take the risk and just ask her!
Used here to encourage personal bravery.
Ich möchte kein finanzielles Risiko eingehen.
I don't want to take a financial risk.
Expressing caution about money.
Ich probiere Fallschirmspringen. Man muss mal Risiken eingehen!
I'm trying skydiving. You have to take risks sometimes!
Casual use for an adventurous activity.
Ich gehe das Risiko ein und esse diesen drei Tage alten Döner.
I'm taking the risk and eating this three-day-old kebab.
Using a serious phrase for a silly, low-stakes situation.
Sie ging das Risiko ein, alles zu verlieren, für ihren Traum.
She took the risk of losing everything for her dream.
Shows the emotional weight of a big decision.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'eingehen'.
Ich bin gestern ein großes Risiko ______.
The sentence is in the Perfekt tense (Ich bin...), so we need the Partizip II 'eingegangen'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the right one:
The verb is 'eingehen', which is separable, so 'ein' goes to the end.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Soll ich den neuen Job annehmen? B: Ja, du musst im Leben mal ein ______ ______.
'Risiko eingehen' is the most natural collocation for this context.
Match the adjective to the risk.
Ein Risiko, das man vorher genau studiert hat, ist ein...
'Kalkuliert' means you have calculated the chances.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch bin gestern ein großes Risiko ______.
The sentence is in the Perfekt tense (Ich bin...), so we need the Partizip II 'eingegangen'.
Choose the right one:
The verb is 'eingehen', which is separable, so 'ein' goes to the end.
A: Soll ich den neuen Job annehmen? B: Ja, du musst im Leben mal ein ______ ______.
'Risiko eingehen' is the most natural collocation for this context.
Ein Risiko, das man vorher genau studiert hat, ist ein...
'Kalkuliert' means you have calculated the chances.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, that sounds like a literal translation from English. Use 'ein Risiko eingehen'.
Yes, in this context. 'Ich gehe ein Risiko ein.'
A 'Risiko' is usually a choice with a potential reward. 'Gefahr' is just danger.
Yes, it is a very professional and common phrase in interviews.
Say 'ein kalkuliertes Risiko'.
It is {das|n} Risiko (neuter). The plural is {die|f} Risiken.
You can, but it sounds a bit dramatic. For small things, use 'etwas ausprobieren'.
You could say 'auf Nummer sicher gehen' (to play it safe).
In some contexts, like plants dying, 'eingehen' can mean that. But not in this phrase!
Yes, it is standard German and used in all German-speaking countries.
Related Phrases
etwas wagen
similarto dare something
alles auf eine Karte setzen
idiomto bet everything on one card
ein Wagnis eingehen
synonymto take a daring step
Gefahr laufen
similarto run the danger of
sich trauen
similarto dare/trust oneself
