warning / cease-and-desist
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formal warning
A formal, usually written reprimand from an employer to an employee because of misconduct, serving as a warning before possible dismissal.
Wegen wiederholter Unpünktlichkeit erhielt der Mitarbeiter eine Abmahnung.
Because of repeated lateness, the employee received a formal warning.
cease-and-desist letter
A formal legal request to stop a specific unlawful behavior (e.g., a copyright infringement), often combined with a demand for payment.
Der Webseitenbetreiber bekam eine Abmahnung, weil er ein geschütztes Foto ohne Lizenz verwendet hatte.
The website operator received a cease-and-desist letter because he had used a protected photo without a license.
'Die Abmahnung' (formal warning / cease-and-desist letter) is the noun for the verb 'abmahnen' (to issue a formal warning / to send a cease-and-desist notice). The base verb 'mahnen' means 'to warn' or 'to remind'. The prefix 'ab-' intensifies it into a formal, official warning.
Der Chef musste ihn wegen seines Verhaltens abmahnen.
The boss had to issue him a formal warning because of his behavior.
'Eine Abmahnung' is typically combined with the verbs 'bekommen', 'erhalten' (from the recipient's perspective) or 'aussprechen', 'erteilen' (from the sender's perspective).
Er hat eine Abmahnung von seinem Arbeitgeber bekommen.
He received a formal warning from his employer.
The reason for 'die Abmahnung' is usually given with the preposition 'wegen' and the genitive.
Sie erhielt eine Abmahnung wegen wiederholten Zuspätkommens.
She received a formal warning because of repeated lateness.
The two main meanings can easily be distinguished by context. If it is about an employer and an employee, it is a warning under employment law. If it is about lawyers, copyright, or competition, it refers to a legal request.
Die Mitarbeiterin fürchtet nach der Abmahnung um ihren Job.
After the formal warning, the employee fears for her job.
warning
Warnung can generally or formally point out misconduct and possible consequences. Abmahnung, by contrast, is a formal, usually written reprimand from an employer for misconduct and can serve as a warning before dismissal. In an employment context, Abmahnung is therefore usually the appropriate term.
Der Arbeitgeber schickte dem Mitarbeiter wegen seines wiederholten Fehlverhaltens eine schriftliche Abmahnung.
Because of the employee’s repeated misconduct, the employer sent him a written formal warning.
Die Warnung des Chefs machte klar, dass weitere Verstöße ernste Folgen haben könnten.
The boss’s warning made it clear that further violations could have serious consequences.
