der Crash
crash
A serious accident, especially involving vehicles, that often causes significant damage.
EXAMPLE
Auf der A5 gab es einen schweren Crash mit mehreren Lastwagen.
There was a serious crash involving several trucks on the A5.
der Crash
crash
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Crash
crash
A sudden, sharp, and widespread drop in stock market prices.
EXAMPLE
Der Börsen-Crash führte weltweit zu einer schweren Wirtschaftskrise.
The stock market crash led to a severe global economic crisis.
der Crash
crash
The sudden, unexpected failure of a computer system or program, often leading to data loss.
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte kurz vor Abgabe meiner Arbeit einen Computer-Crash und musste alles neu schreiben.
I had a computer crash shortly before submitting my paper and had to rewrite everything.
der Crash
crash
A loud crashing sound that occurs when something breaks or collides.
EXAMPLE
Plötzlich hörten wir einen lauten Crash aus der Küche – ein ganzer Stapel Teller war heruntergefallen.
Suddenly we heard a loud crash from the kitchen—a whole stack of plates had fallen down.
Usage tips
English loanword
'Crash' is a word borrowed directly from English. In German, it is used for various kinds of sudden, violent events.
EXAMPLE
Der laute Crash ließ alle aufschrecken.
The loud crash startled everyone.
Common compounds
In the meanings 'stock market collapse' and 'computer failure', 'Crash' is very often used as the second part of a compound noun. This immediately makes the meaning more precise.
EXAMPLE
Der Börsen-Crash von 1929 hatte globale Auswirkungen.
The stock market crash of 1929 had global effects.
Context: accident
When 'Crash' describes an accident, you will typically find words in the context that have to do with traffic, such as 'Auto' (car), 'Lastwagen' (truck), 'Autobahn' (highway), or 'Kreuzung' (intersection).
EXAMPLE
Zum Glück wurde bei dem Crash auf der Kreuzung niemand verletzt.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash at the intersection.
Context: sound
In this meaning, 'Crash' describes only the loud sound of something breaking or colliding. It is often combined with adjectives like 'laut' (loud).
EXAMPLE
Wir hörten einen lauten Crash und sahen, dass eine Vase auf dem Boden lag.
We heard a loud crash and saw that a vase was lying on the floor.
Compare with
Crash vs Unfall
accident
Both words can refer to a harmful vehicle-related event. Unfall is the general term for a sudden, unintended event, while Crash emphasizes a particularly violent impact that often causes extensive damage. Use Unfall in general and Crash when the force of the impact is important.
Crash
Bei dem Crash auf der Autobahn wurden mehrere Fahrzeuge stark beschädigt.
Several vehicles were badly damaged in the crash on the highway.
Unfall
Bei dem Unfall auf der Kreuzung wurde niemand schwer verletzt.
No one was seriously injured in the accident at the intersection.
In real life
Loading video examples...