alarm system
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alarm system
A technical system that triggers an acoustic or visual signal in the event of a specific incident, such as a break-in, fire, or another emergency, in order to warn people or call for help.
Als der Einbrecher das Fenster aufbrach, ging sofort die Alarmanlage los.
When the burglar forced the window open, the alarm system immediately went off.
The word is made up of 'der Alarm' (alarm) and 'die Anlage' (system/installation). In this context, 'Anlage' means 'system' or 'installation'. Literally, it is therefore an 'alarm system'.
Eine moderne Alarmanlage kann die Polizei automatisch benachrichtigen.
A modern alarm system can notify the police automatically.
To describe that the alarm starts, you use the verbs 'losgehen' (to go off) or 'ausgelöst werden' (to be triggered). The phrase 'die Alarmanlage geht los' (the alarm system goes off) is very common.
Mitten in der Nacht ging plötzlich die Alarmanlage des Autos los.
In the middle of the night, the car's alarm system suddenly went off.
When people operate the alarm system, the typical verbs are 'installieren' (to install) or 'einbauen' (to have installed/build in), as well as 'einschalten' (to switch on) or 'ausschalten' (to switch off).
Vergiss nicht, die Alarmanlage einzuschalten, bevor du das Haus verlässt.
Don't forget to switch on the alarm system before you leave the house.
alarm
Both words are associated with a warning involving an acoustic or visual signal. The „Alarm“ is the warning signal itself once it has been triggered; the „Alarmanlage“ is the technical system that triggers this signal when an incident occurs. When installing or switching on the system, „Alarmanlage“ is therefore the right word.
Die Familie lässt eine Alarmanlage an der Haustür installieren.
The family is having an alarm system installed at the front door.
Bei einem Einbruch ertönt im ganzen Haus der Alarm.
In the event of a break-in, the alarm sounds throughout the house.
