danger
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danger
A situation or condition that can lead to harm, injury, or another negative event; a risk.
Bei Glatteis besteht große Gefahr, mit dem Auto auszurutschen.
On black ice, there is a great danger of skidding with the car.
The noun 'die Gefahr' (danger) belongs to a word family. The related adjective is 'gefährlich' (dangerous), and the verb is 'gefährden' (to endanger), which means to put someone or something in danger.
Das Fahren bei Nebel ist sehr gefährlich.
Driving in fog is very dangerous.
The preposition 'in' is very important here. A change of state is expressed with the accusative ('in Gefahr geraten' — to get into danger), while a state is expressed with the dative ('in Gefahr sein' — to be in danger).
Das kleine Boot geriet durch den Sturm in große Gefahr.
The small boat got into great danger because of the storm.
Common verbs used with 'Gefahr' (danger) are 'bestehen' (to exist; the danger exists), 'darstellen' (to represent; something poses a danger), and 'laufen' in 'Gefahr laufen, etwas zu tun' (to run the risk of doing something).
Es besteht die Gefahr, dass der alte Baum beim nächsten Sturm umfällt.
There is a danger that the old tree will fall over in the next storm.
The expression 'außer Gefahr sein' (to be out of danger) is a fixed combination and means that a threatening situation has been overcome. It is often used in a medical context.
Die Ärzte bestätigten, dass der verletzte Fahrer außer Gefahr ist.
The doctors confirmed that the injured driver is out of danger.
sure / safe
'sicher' and 'die Gefahr' both belong to the topic of risk and protection. 'sicher' describes a state without danger: a person, place, or thing is protected. 'die Gefahr', on the other hand, names the possible threat or risk itself. Learners may confuse the words because both often appear in the same situations, for example with accidents or illnesses. The important point is: you are 'sicher' when there is no 'Gefahr', or when you are 'außer Gefahr' (out of danger).
Auf der nassen Straße besteht eine Gefahr für Radfahrer.
On the wet road, there is a danger for cyclists.
Nach dem Sturm sind die Kinder im Haus sicher.
After the storm, the children are safe in the house.