German Conversation · Level 6
90 words
German word
Ultimatum
Pronunciation
IPA/ʊltiˈmaːtʊm/
Meaning
- neuter nounultimatum
Example
Er gab ihr ein Ultimatum.
He gave her an ultimatum.
More examples
Die Gewerkschaft setzte dem Unternehmen ein Ultimatum.
The trade union issued the company an ultimatum.
Core concept
A sealed message carries a last demand and a deadline, leaving negotiation no ordinary next step.
Common phrases
sich einem Ultimatum beugen
yield to an ultimatum
gegen ein Ultimatum protestieren
protest against an ultimatum
ein Ultimatum formulieren
formulate an ultimatum
Similar words
Forderung: A request or demand for a particular action or payment.
Frist: A specified period by which an action or response must occur.
Drohung: A warning that harmful consequences will follow a certain action.
Bedingung: A condition that must be fulfilled before something can proceed.
Definition in German
eine abschließende Fristsetzung oder Forderung, die als letzte Entscheidungsaufforderung dient und ernsthafte Folgen androhen kann.
Word origin
German borrowed Ultimatum from Latin, where ultimatum was the substantivized neuter form of ultimus, meaning 'last'.
Usage tips
- The common construction is jemandem ein Ultimatum stellen, with the person receiving it in the dative case.
Related words
- ultimativultimateadjective
- Ultimatumdrohungultimatum threatnoun