German word

riskieren

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁɪsˈkiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbrisk

Example

Sie riskierte ihr Leben.

She risked her life.

Illustration for riskieren (risk)

More examples

Er ist bereit, alles zu riskieren.

He is prepared to risk everything.

Core concept

A calculated move places a life, possession, or possible gain within reach of danger.

Common phrases

  • etwas riskieren

    risk something

  • sein Leben riskieren

    risk one's life

  • alles riskieren

    risk everything

Similar words

wagen: Boldly attempt something despite uncertainty or hesitation.
gefährden: Make a person or thing more vulnerable to danger or damage.
aufs Spiel setzen: Endanger something important by accepting the chance of losing it.
ein Risiko eingehen: Knowingly accept possible loss or bad consequences when taking action.

Definition in German

etwas bewusst einer möglichen Gefahr oder einem möglichen Verlust aussetzen

Word origin

The German verb riskieren is a borrowing through French risquer from Italian rischiare.

Usage tips

  • The past participle is riskiert, not geriskiert, because verbs ending in -ieren do not take the prefix ge-.

Other meanings

  • endangerverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Risikorisknoun
  • riskantriskyadjective
  • Risikobereitschaftwillingness to take risksnoun

Word lists with this word