threat
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threat
A person's announcement that they will harm another person if a certain demand is not met.
Der Erpresser wiederholte seine Drohung, die Informationen zu veröffentlichen.
The blackmailer repeated his threat to publish the information.
threat
An impending, recognizable danger or evil that does not come from a person.
Die ständige Drohung durch den steigenden Meeresspiegel beunruhigt die Küstenbewohner.
The constant threat from rising sea levels worries the coastal residents.
'Die Drohung' (the threat) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'drohen' (to threaten). When someone threatens, they make a threat. This connection helps with understanding and learning.
Er drohte damit, zur Polizei zu gehen.
He threatened to go to the police.
To describe the content of a threat, a construction with 'zu' + infinitive is often used: 'die Drohung, etwas zu tun' (the threat to do something).
Die Firma stand unter der Drohung, hohe Strafen zahlen zu müssen.
The company was under the threat of having to pay heavy fines.
When a person makes a threat, the verbs 'ausstoßen' (to utter), 'aussprechen' (to state/express), or 'wahr machen' (to carry out; to put the threat into action) are often used.
Der Täter stieß eine leise Drohung aus.
The perpetrator uttered a quiet threat.
In this meaning, the danger does not come from a person, but from a situation or a force of nature. People then often speak of the 'Drohung durch' (threat from/by) something.
Für viele kleine Geschäfte ist die Drohung durch den Online-Handel sehr real.
For many small shops, the threat from online retail is very real.
danger
Both words can refer to an impending negative event. „Die Gefahr“ neutrally describes the potential harm, while „die Drohung“ makes a recognizable approaching evil seem more like a warning sign or impending disaster. Use Gefahr for an objective assessment and Drohung for the more emphatic impression.
Die heranziehende Sturmflut wirkt wie eine Drohung für das Dorf.
The approaching storm surge seems like a threat to the village.
Die heranziehende Sturmflut ist eine Gefahr für das Dorf.
The approaching storm surge is a danger to the village.
