die Alarmglocke
alarm bell
A bell used to give an audible warning signal in case of danger or an emergency.
EXAMPLE
Als das Feuer ausbrach, läutete der Hausmeister die Alarmglocke.
When the fire broke out, the caretaker rang the alarm bell.
die Alarmglocke
alarm bell
die Alarmglocke, die Alarmglocken
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Meanings
die Alarmglocke
alarm bell
An indication or signal that a dangerous or problematic situation has arisen. This meaning is often used in the fixed expressions „die Alarmglocken läuten“ (alarm bells ring) or „die Alarmglocken schrillen“ (alarm bells start ringing).
EXAMPLE
Die widersprüchlichen Angaben ließen bei den Ermittlern die Alarmglocken schrillen.
The contradictory statements set off alarm bells for the investigators.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Alarmglocke, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Alarmglocken |
| genitive | der Alarmglocke |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Alarmglocke | die Alarmglocken |
| accusative | die Alarmglocke | die Alarmglocken |
| dative | der Alarmglocke | den Alarmglocken |
| genitive | der Alarmglocke | der Alarmglocken |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
„Alarmglocke“ consists of „Alarm“ (alarm) and „Glocke“ (bell). The first part indicates the purpose of the bell: It is meant to warn of danger.
EXAMPLE
An der Außenwand des Gebäudes ist eine Alarmglocke angebracht.
An alarm bell is mounted on the outside wall of the building.
Typical collocations
„Die Alarmglocke ertönt“ (the alarm bell sounds) is a typical expression for the beginning of the warning signal. When the sound stops, „die Alarmglocke verstummt“ (the alarm bell falls silent) is appropriate.
EXAMPLE
Mitten in der Nacht ertönte die Alarmglocke und verstummte erst nach mehreren Minuten.
The alarm bell sounded in the middle of the night and did not fall silent until several minutes later.
Person with dative
In the figurative expression, „bei jemandem“ (for someone) is often used with the dative. This complement shows which person recognizes a problem; „Alarmglocke“ is usually used in the plural here.
EXAMPLE
Als der Verkäufer eine sofortige Überweisung verlangte, schrillten bei mir die Alarmglocken.
When the salesperson demanded an immediate bank transfer, alarm bells started ringing for me.
In real life
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