German word

Unfall

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnfal/

Meaning

  • masculine nounaccident

Example

Auf dieser Kreuzung passieren oft Unfälle.

Accidents often happen at this intersection.

Illustration for Unfall (accident)

More examples

Bei dem Unfall auf der Autobahn wurden mehrere Personen leicht verletzt.

Several people were slightly injured in the accident on the highway.

Core concept

A normal situation is suddenly broken by an unintended collision, fall, or other event that causes harm.

Common phrases

  • einen Unfall haben

    have an accident

  • bei einem Unfall

    in the event of an accident

  • einen Unfall melden

    report an accident

Similar words

Verkehrsunfall: A road accident involving vehicles or bicycles that causes injury or damage.
Sturz: A fall caused by losing balance, often resulting in injury.
Zusammenstoß: An event in which two objects or vehicles strike each other, causing damage.
Unglück: An unexpected event that leads to an unfortunate outcome.

Definition in German

Ein plötzliches, ungewolltes Ereignis, das Schaden oder Verletzung verursacht.

Word origin

Unfall combines the prefix un- with Fall, a noun related to falling, and historically referred to an unfortunate occurrence or mishap.

Usage tips

  • Unfall is narrower than English "accident" because it normally involves damage or injury, while a harmless chance event is often Zufall.

Opposites

Related words

  • Unfallversicherungaccident insurancenoun
  • unfallfreiaccident-freeadjective
  • Unfallopferaccident victimnoun

Word lists with this word