threat
Loading your saved state.
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
Bedrohung refers more to the dangerous situation or state of being threatened that is caused by a person, thing, or situation. Androhung, by contrast, emphasizes the deliberate announcement of a negative consequence as a means of applying pressure. Bedrohung fits the situation, while Androhung fits the announcement.
Mit der Androhung von Gewalt wollte der aggressive Nachbar sie im Haus halten.
By threatening violence, the aggressive neighbor wanted to keep her in the house.
Wegen der Bedrohung durch den aggressiven Nachbarn traute sie sich kaum hinaus.
Because of the threat posed by the aggressive neighbor, she hardly dared to go outside.
