Using the infinitive 'absichern' (to secure) as an adjective is grammatically incorrect and does not occur in German. Usually the participle 'abgesichert' (secured/protected) is meant, e.g. 'ein abgesichertes Gelände' (a secured area).
example
Der Satz „Die Baustelle ist absichern“ ist falsch; korrekt wäre „Die Baustelle ist abgesichert“.
The sentence 'Die Baustelle ist absichern' is wrong; the correct version would be 'Die Baustelle ist abgesichert' (The construction site is secured).
Usage tips
Common mistake
The infinitive 'absichern' (to secure) is sometimes incorrectly used like an adjective. However, only the past participle is correct: 'abgesichert' (secured/protected). A person or thing 'ist abgesichert' (is secured/protected), not 'ist absichern'.
EXAMPLE
Das Gelände ist polizeilich abgesichert.
The area is secured by the police.
Separable verb
The verb 'absichern' (to secure) is separable. In a main clause, the prefix 'ab' goes to the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive, the word stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er sichert seine Daten immer auf einer externen Festplatte ab.
He always backs up his data on an external hard drive.
Reflexive use
'Absichern' (to secure/protect) is very often used reflexively: 'sich absichern' (to protect oneself). It is usually followed by the preposition 'gegen' with the accusative to name the danger one is protecting oneself against.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte sich gegen unvorhergesehene Risiken absichern.
One should protect oneself against unforeseen risks.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
absichern vs schützen
to protect
'schützen' and 'absichern' can both have to do with safety, but they are not used in the same way. 'schützen' directly describes keeping someone or something safe from danger or harm. 'absichern' makes sense here mainly as a verb: you make sure that something is secure, for example an area, a construction site, or a plan. As an adjective, the base form 'absichern' is not correct; for that, you use 'abgesichert'. So the risk of confusion is not only in the meaning, but also in the form. You say: 'Das Gelände ist abgesichert' (the area is secured), not 'das absichern Gelände'.
absichern
Vor dem Konzert lässt Frau Demir den Eingang absichern.
Before the concert, Ms. Demir has the entrance secured.
