to alert
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to alert
To call for help in an emergency or dangerous situation by notifying a responsible organization such as the police, fire department, or emergency medical service.
Als sie den Rauch bemerkte, alarmierte sie sofort die Feuerwehr.
When she noticed the smoke, she immediately alerted the fire department.
The verb 'alarmieren' (to alert/alarm) derives directly from the noun 'der Alarm' (the alarm). The ending '-ieren' is a typical way of forming verbs from nouns, often loanwords.
Bei einem Feueralarm müssen alle das Gebäude verlassen.
In the event of a fire alarm, everyone must leave the building.
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if you alarmieren (alert) an organization like the police or fire department, you are calling for help. If a piece of news or development alarmiert (alarms) a person, that person becomes worried.
Ein Zeuge alarmierte die Polizei.
A witness alerted the police.
When it is about calling for help, 'alarmieren' (to alert) is typically used with emergency services: 'die Feuerwehr alarmieren' (to alert the fire department), 'die Polizei alarmieren' (to alert the police), 'den Notarzt alarmieren' (to alert the emergency doctor).
Wegen des medizinischen Notfalls musste der Pilot den Rettungsdienst alarmieren.
Because of the medical emergency, the pilot had to alert the emergency services.
In the meaning 'beunruhigen' (to worry/alarm), the subject is often something abstract, such as a piece of news, a report, or a development. The person who is worried is in the accusative.
Der Bericht über den Klimawandel hat viele Menschen alarmiert.
The report on climate change alarmed many people.
to fetch / get
'holen' and 'alarmieren' can both mean calling for help. 'jemanden holen' sounds more general and often everyday: you ask a specific person to come, for example a doctor, a neighbor, or a colleague. 'alarmieren' is used in danger or emergencies, especially when the police, fire department, or emergency medical services are notified. The words can be confused because in both cases you want someone to come. However, 'alarmieren' is stronger and more serious than 'holen'.
Nach dem Unfall alarmiert er sofort den Rettungsdienst.
After the accident, he immediately alerts the emergency medical service.
Am Abend hole ich den Nachbarn, weil die Tür nicht aufgeht.
In the evening, I get the neighbor because the door won’t open.