German word

Verkehrsunfall

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈkeːɐ̯sˌʊnfal/

Meaning

  • masculine nountraffic accident

Example

Die Ursache des Verkehrsunfalls ist noch unklar.

The cause of the traffic accident is still unclear.

Illustration for Verkehrsunfall (traffic accident)

More examples

Bei dem Verkehrsunfall wurden mehrere Personen verletzt.

Several people were injured in the traffic accident.

Core concept

A transport route abruptly becomes the scene of a damaging event involving moving vehicles, people, or property.

Common phrases

  • bei einem Verkehrsunfall

    in a traffic accident

  • einen Verkehrsunfall melden

    report a traffic accident

  • tödlicher Verkehrsunfall

    fatal traffic accident

Similar words

Autounfall: An accident involving a car, often causing injury or damage.
Unfall: An unexpected event that causes injury or damage.
Crash: A forceful collision involving vehicles or other objects.
Zusammenstoß: A collision in which drivers, pedestrians, or other parties strike one another.

Definition in German

Ein Unfall im Straßen-, Schienen- oder sonstigen Verkehr, bei dem Fahrzeuge, Personen oder Sachen verletzt oder beschädigt werden.

Word origin

Verkehrsunfall combines the noun Verkehr with Unfall, so its formation specifies an accident within traffic or transport rather than an accident in general.

Usage tips

  • Autounfall refers specifically to a car accident, whereas Verkehrsunfall also covers accidents involving rail transport and other traffic.

Opposites

Related words

  • Verkehrsunfallopfertraffic accident victimnoun
  • Verkehrsunfallstatistiktraffic accident statisticsnoun

Word lists with this word