German Conversation · Level 30
89 words
German word
warnen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈvaʁnən/
Meaning
- verbwarn
Example
Der Polizist warnte die Leute vor dem Feuer.
The police officer warned people about the fire.
More examples
Die Wettervorhersage warnt vor starkem Regen.
The weather forecast warns of heavy rain.
Core concept
A person points out a danger or mistake so another person can avoid its possible consequences.
Common phrases
vor etwas warnen
warn about something
vor einem Sturm warnen
warn of a storm
Similar words
aufpassen: Staying alert or acting carefully to avoid danger.
hinweisen: Directing attention to a particular fact, issue, or detail.
informieren: Giving someone necessary information so they know what is happening.
Definition in German
jemanden vor einer Gefahr oder einem Fehler warnen, indem man auf mögliche Folgen hinweist
Word origin
German warnen comes from Old High German warnōn and is cognate with English warn, from a Germanic verb for making someone aware and cautious.
Usage tips
- The usual pattern is jemanden vor etwas warnen, with the person in the accusative and the danger after vor plus the dative.