German word

Zwischenfall

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsvɪʃn̩ˌfal/

Meaning

  • masculine nounincident

Example

Während des Konzerts gab es mehrere Zwischenfälle.

There were several incidents during the concert.

Illustration for Zwischenfall (incident)

More examples

Das Team musste schnell auf den Zwischenfall reagieren.

The team had to respond quickly to the incident.

Core concept

A sudden disturbance appears in the middle of an otherwise unfolding event and interrupts its smooth progress.

Common phrases

  • auf einen Zwischenfall reagieren

    respond to an incident

  • mehrere Zwischenfälle

    several incidents

  • Zwischenfall vermeiden

    avoid an incident

Similar words

Vorfall: A specific unexpected event that has occurred.
Ereignis: Something that happens, considered simply as an event.
Störung: A brief interruption of normal operation in a machine or daily routine.
Unfall: An unforeseen accident resulting in injury or property damage.

Definition in German

Zwischenfall bezeichnet ein plötzlich auftretendes Problem oder eine unerwartete Begebenheit, die den Ablauf kurz unterbricht.

Word origin

The compound Zwischenfall joins zwischen with Fall, whose meanings include 'case' and 'event', producing the sense of an event arising during another activity.

Usage tips

  • Zwischenfall usually suggests an unwanted or disruptive event, whereas English 'occurrence' can be more neutral; Ereignis is often more neutral in German.

Other meanings

  • mishapnoun
  • occurrencenoun

Opposites

  • Reibungslosigkeitsmoothnessnoun
  • Ordnungordernoun

Word lists with this word