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.
'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
'die Gefahr' and 'die Drohung' both have to do with something negative that may happen. 'Gefahr' is more general: a situation can be dangerous even if no one has announced anything. 'Drohung' usually means that a person deliberately announces harm, often to put pressure on someone. In some more formal contexts, 'Drohung' can also mean an impending danger, for example an economic threat. Learners may confuse the words because both point to a possible harm. In everyday language, 'Gefahr' is the neutral word for risk or danger, while 'Drohung' is especially used for a harmful announcement.
Nach der Drohung rief der Ladenbesitzer die Polizei.
After the threat, the shop owner called the police.
Bei starkem Sturm besteht die Gefahr, dass Äste auf die Straße fallen.
In a strong storm, there is a danger that branches will fall onto the road.