brenzlig
precarious
Dangerous or critical, so that an unpleasant or risky situation may arise.
EXAMPLE
Die Lage wurde brenzlig, als plötzlich ein Feuer ausbrach.
The situation became precarious when a fire suddenly broke out.
brenzlig
precarious / burnt-smelling
brenzlig – brenzliger – am brenzligsten
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Meanings
brenzlig
burnt-smelling
Smelling of something burnt.
EXAMPLE
In der Küche riecht es brenzlig.
It smells burnt in the kitchen.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry brenzlig, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | brenzlig |
|---|---|
| comparative | brenzliger |
| superlative | am brenzligsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to brenzlig.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to brenzlig.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to brenzlig.
Usage tips
Colloquial usage
'Brenzlig' (precarious / burnt-smelling) is mainly used in everyday speech when a situation suddenly seems critical or dangerous. The word can also describe a perception involving smell.
EXAMPLE
Die Verhandlungen wurden gegen Abend ziemlich brenzlig.
The negotiations became pretty precarious toward evening.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'gefährlich oder kritisch' (dangerous or critical), 'brenzlig' (precarious) frequently occurs with 'Situation' (situation), 'Lage' (situation), or 'werden' (to become). The word often describes a development that unexpectedly becomes more serious.
EXAMPLE
Als der Fahrer die Kontrolle über das Auto verlor, wurde die Situation brenzlig.
When the driver lost control of the car, the situation became precarious.
Describing smells
In its meaning related to smell, 'brenzlig' (burnt-smelling) is especially often used with 'riechen' (to smell) or 'Geruch' (smell). A burnt smell usually indicates that something has become too hot or is burning.
EXAMPLE
Der Toaster riecht brenzlig, obwohl das Brot noch nicht fertig ist.
The toaster smells burnt even though the bread isn't ready yet.
In real life
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