to threaten
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to threaten
To intimidate someone or try to force them to do something by threatening violence or other negative consequences.
Der Täter hat den Kassierer mit einer Waffe bedroht.
The perpetrator threatened the cashier with a weapon.
to threaten
To pose a serious danger to the existence or continued survival of something.
Der Klimawandel bedroht viele Tierarten und Ökosysteme.
Climate change threatens many animal species and ecosystems.
'Bedrohen' (to threaten) is an inseparable verb formed with the prefix 'be-'. This prefix makes the verb transitive, so it always needs an accusative object: you threaten someone or something.
Die Flut bedroht die gesamte Küstenregion.
The flood threatens the entire coastal region.
If you want to state what someone is being threatened with, use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. The pattern is: someone threatens someone (accusative) with something (dative).
Der Erpresser bedrohte die Familie mit der Veröffentlichung der Fotos.
The blackmailer threatened the family with the publication of the photos.
In this figurative meaning, the subject is often an abstract danger. Typical subjects are climate change, a disease, unemployment, or an economic crisis.
Die zunehmende Trockenheit bedroht die Ernte der Bauern.
The increasing drought threatens the farmers' harvest.
to threaten
Drohen describes announcing a negative consequence and usually names the affected person in the dative. Bedrohen takes the intimidated person as an accusative object and can also be used without an explicitly stated threat. Both verbs can work for a verbal threat.
Der Täter bedrohte die Zeugin mit Gewalt, damit sie schwieg.
The perpetrator threatened the witness with violence so that she would remain silent.
Der Täter drohte der Zeugin mit Gewalt, damit sie schwieg.
The perpetrator threatened the witness with violence so that she would remain silent.
