threat
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threat
The announcement of a negative consequence or hostile action in order to force someone to behave in a certain way or to stop them from doing something.
Er erstattete Anzeige wegen der Androhung von Gewalt.
He filed a complaint because of the threat of violence.
'Androhung' (threat) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'androhen' (to threaten). The ending '-ung' is often used to form a noun from a verb that describes the action or its result.
Er hat mir gedroht, und ich nehme diese Androhung ernst.
He threatened me, and I take this threat seriously.
To specify what is being threatened, German often uses the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of). The genitive construction is considered more formal.
Die Androhung einer Strafanzeige zeigte Wirkung.
The threat of a criminal complaint had an effect.
The word 'Androhung' (threat) is mainly used in formal, official, or legal contexts. It is rather rare in everyday language.
Im Protokoll wurde die Androhung von Disziplinarmaßnahmen festgehalten.
The threat of disciplinary measures was recorded in the minutes.
Common combinations are 'die Androhung von Gewalt' (the threat of violence), 'unter Androhung von Strafe' (under threat of punishment), or the description 'leere Androhung' (empty threat) when it is not meant seriously.
Der Täter handelte unter Androhung von Waffengewalt.
The perpetrator acted under threat of armed violence.
threat
'die Bedrohung' and 'die Androhung' are closely related because both can involve negative consequences that someone announces. 'Androhung' places more emphasis on the announcement itself: someone says what will happen if the other person does not obey. 'Bedrohung' often sounds stronger and more personal because fear, danger, or intimidation is at the center. They can be confused because an 'Androhung' can quickly be experienced as a 'Bedrohung'. If you mean the statement or warning, 'Androhung' is more precise; if you mean the danger or intimidation, 'Bedrohung' fits better.
Die Androhung einer Strafe soll verhindern, dass die Regeln missachtet werden.
The threat of a penalty is meant to prevent the rules from being ignored.
Die Bedrohung am Telefon machte der Familie große Angst.
The threat on the phone frightened the family greatly.