der Fall
case
A specific situation, circumstance, or concrete occurrence.
EXAMPLE
Das ist ein seltener Fall, der nicht oft vorkommt.
That is a rare case that does not occur often.
der Fall
case / fall
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Meanings
der Fall
case
A matter investigated by the police or a court, usually a crime.
EXAMPLE
Der Kommissar hat den Fall in nur zwei Tagen gelöst.
The detective solved the case in just two days.
auf jeden Fall / auf keinen Fall
definitely / definitely not
A fixed expression meaning 'absolutely' or 'under no circumstances'.
EXAMPLE
Du musst auf jeden Fall pünktlich sein.
You absolutely have to be on time.
der Fall
fall
Downward movement caused by gravity; a fall.
EXAMPLE
Der Fall von der Leiter war zum Glück nicht so schlimm.
The fall from the ladder was fortunately not that bad.
der Fall
case
In grammar, one of the inflectional forms (case) of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.
EXAMPLE
Im Deutschen gibt es vier Fälle: Nominativ, Genitiv, Dativ und Akkusativ.
In German there are four cases: nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative.
für den Fall, dass
in case
A conjunction that introduces a condition or precaution; in case.
EXAMPLE
Nimm einen Schirm mit, für den Fall, dass es regnet.
Take an umbrella with you in case it rains.
Usage tips
False friend
'Der Fall' does not mean the season autumn/fall. The English word 'fall' (autumn) is called 'der Herbst' in German.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst werden die Blätter bunt.
In autumn, the leaves turn colorful.
Word family
The noun 'der Fall' is closely related to the verb 'fallen' (to fall). The literal meaning 'Sturz' (fall) as in 'der Fall von der Leiter' (the fall from the ladder) comes directly from this. Other meanings are metaphorical, such as a situation that 'zufällt' (falls to someone / comes someone's way).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass du auf der nassen Treppe nicht fällst.
Be careful not to fall on the wet stairs.
Context clues
The many meanings of 'Fall' can be recognized from context. If it is about the police or a crime, it refers to a criminal case. In the context of grammar, it means case. If it is about physical movement, it means a fall.
EXAMPLE
Der Detektiv übernahm einen neuen Fall.
The detective took on a new case.
Fixed expressions
The expressions 'auf jeden Fall' (definitely / in any case) and 'auf keinen Fall' (definitely not / under no circumstances) are fixed expressions. They function like adverbs and mean 'absolutely' or 'under no circumstances'.
EXAMPLE
Ich werde auf jeden Fall zur Party kommen.
I will definitely come to the party.
Word order
When 'auf jeden Fall' (definitely / in any case) or 'auf keinen Fall' (definitely not / under no circumstances) appears at the beginning of a sentence (position 1), the conjugated verb follows directly afterward in position 2.
EXAMPLE
Auf jeden Fall müssen wir heute noch einkaufen.
In any case, we still have to go shopping today.
Conditional clause
The expression 'für den Fall, dass' (in case) introduces a subordinate clause. Therefore, the conjugated verb comes at the end of the clause.
EXAMPLE
Ich gebe dir meine Nummer, für den Fall, dass du Hilfe brauchst.
I'll give you my number in case you need help.
Typical collocations
In a legal or police context, 'Fall' is often combined with verbs such as 'einen Fall lösen' (to solve a case), 'einen Fall untersuchen' (to investigate a case), or 'in einem Fall ermitteln' (to investigate in a case).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte den komplizierten Fall schnell lösen.
The police were able to solve the complicated case quickly.
Compare with
Fall vs Sache
thing / matter
Der Fall and die Sache can both be investigated or dealt with as legal matters. Der Fall focuses more on the specific incident under investigation, while die Sache refers more to the legal or formal matter that an authority is dealing with.
Fall
Die Polizei untersucht den Fall seit mehreren Monaten.
The police have been investigating the case for several months.
Sache
Das Gericht wird die Sache im nächsten Monat behandeln.
The court will deal with the matter next month.
In real life
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