German Conversation · Level 33
91 words
German word
bedrohen
Pronunciation
IPA/bəˈdʁoːən/
Meaning
- verbthreaten
Example
Der Mann bedroht das Kind.
The man threatens the child.
More examples
Der Klimawandel bedroht die Inseln.
Climate change threatens the islands.
Core concept
A person makes another face a feared consequence, with the possibility of harm hanging between them.
Common phrases
jemanden bedrohen
threaten ___
etwas bedrohen
endanger ___
Similar words
drohen: Announcing a bad outcome to make someone afraid.
einschüchtern: Using force or an intimidating manner to make someone submit.
ängstigen: Causing someone to feel anxious.
ärgern: Making someone uncomfortable through mild teasing.
Definition in German
einer Person Gewalt, Verlust oder sonstige Nachteile in Aussicht stellen, um sie einzuschüchtern.
Word origin
Bedrohen developed from the older Germanic verb drohen, which expresses threatening or looming danger, through the addition of be-.
Usage tips
- Drohen takes a dative person and often mit, as in Er droht dem Kind mit Gewalt, whereas bedrohen takes the accusative.
Other meanings
- intimidateverb
- endangerverb
Opposites
- schützenprotectverb
Related words
- die Bedrohungthreatnoun
- bedrohlichthreateningadjective