threatening
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threatening
Describes something that represents a danger or threat and therefore causes fear or concern; seeming dangerous or frightening.
Die dunklen Wolken am Horizont wirkten sehr bedrohlich.
The dark clouds on the horizon looked very threatening.
The adjective 'bedrohlich' (threatening) is derived from the verb 'bedrohen' (to threaten). The ending '-lich' means 'like' or 'having the quality of something'. So 'bedrohlich' describes something that has the quality of threatening.
Der große Hund bellte, aber er wollte niemanden bedrohen.
The large dog barked, but it didn't want to threaten anyone.
'Bedrohlich' (threatening) is often used for situations, atmospheres, or natural phenomena. Typical combinations are 'eine bedrohliche Stille' (a threatening silence), 'bedrohliche Wolken' (threatening clouds), 'eine bedrohliche Lage' (a threatening situation), or 'bedrohlich nahe kommen' (to come threateningly close).
Vor dem Sturm herrschte eine bedrohliche Stille.
Before the storm, there was a threatening silence.
The adjective is frequently combined with verbs of perception such as 'wirken' (to seem), 'aussehen' (to look), or 'klingen' (to sound) in order to describe an impression. The pattern is often: 'Etwas wirkt/sieht bedrohlich aus.' (Something seems/looks threatening.)
Die Lage im Krisengebiet wirkt zunehmend bedrohlich.
The situation in the crisis area seems increasingly threatening.
dangerous
'gefährlich' and 'bedrohlich' both describe something connected with danger. 'gefährlich' says more directly that there is a real risk of harm, injury, or negative consequences. 'bedrohlich' puts more emphasis on something causing fear or seeming like a threat. So something can be dangerous even if it looks calm, for example a broken power line. 'bedrohlich' fits especially well when the situation seems dark, aggressive, or frightening. Learners may confuse the words because both warn of danger. As a guide: 'gefährlich' is more about the real risk, while 'bedrohlich' is about the effect something has on us.
Die dunklen Wolken über dem See wirkten plötzlich bedrohlich.
The dark clouds over the lake suddenly looked threatening.
Bei Sturm ist es gefährlich, unter alten Bäumen zu laufen.
During a storm, it is dangerous to walk under old trees.