dangerousness
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dangerousness
The quality or state of being dangerous; the extent to which someone or something poses a danger.
Die Gefährlichkeit der Situation wurde von allen unterschätzt.
The dangerousness of the situation was underestimated by everyone.
The noun 'Gefährlichkeit' (dangerousness) is derived from the adjective 'gefährlich' (dangerous) with the ending '-keit'. This ending turns adjectives into nouns that describe a quality or state.
Die Polizei warnt vor der Gefährlichkeit der neuen Betrugsmasche.
The police are warning about the dangerousness of the new scam.
This word belongs to the word family of 'die Gefahr' (danger). While 'Gefahr' is the threat itself, 'Gefährlichkeit' (dangerousness) describes the extent or quality of how dangerous something is.
Man muss die Gefährlichkeit von wilden Tieren immer respektieren.
One must always respect the dangerousness of wild animals.
'Gefährlichkeit' (dangerousness) is often used with a genitive that indicates what is dangerous, e.g. 'die Gefährlichkeit der Lage' (the dangerousness of the situation). Common verbs are 'unterschätzen' (to underestimate), 'erkennen' (to recognize), or 'beurteilen' (to assess).
Viele Menschen unterschätzen die Gefährlichkeit von starker Sonneneinstrahlung.
Many people underestimate the dangerousness of strong sunlight.
danger
'die Gefahr' and 'die Gefährlichkeit' look similar, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Gefahr' refers to a concrete threatening situation or a risk: something can happen and cause harm. 'Gefährlichkeit' refers to the quality or degree of how dangerous someone or something is. Learners may confuse the words because both come from the adjective 'gefährlich'. In practical terms: for a situation, you usually say 'Gefahr'; when judging how dangerous something is, 'Gefährlichkeit' fits.
Die Gefährlichkeit des Sturms wird morgen noch genauer eingeschätzt.
The dangerousness of the storm will be assessed more precisely tomorrow.
Auf dieser Reise besteht bei schlechtem Wetter eine Gefahr für die Gruppe.
On this trip, there is a danger to the group in bad weather.