life-threatening
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life-threatening
Describes a situation, action, or condition that is so dangerous that it can lead to death.
Das Überqueren der Gleise bei geschlossener Schranke ist lebensgefährlich.
Crossing the tracks when the barrier is closed is life-threatening.
The word is made up of 'das Leben' (life), with a linking s, and 'gefährlich' (dangerous). So it literally means 'dangerous to life'.
Einige Pilze im Wald sind bei Verzehr lebensgefährlich.
Some mushrooms in the forest are life-threatening if eaten.
This adjective is often used to describe a person's condition or a situation. Typical nouns are 'lebensgefährliche Verletzung' (life-threatening injury), 'lebensgefährliche Krankheit' (life-threatening illness), or 'lebensgefährliche Lage' (life-threatening situation).
Der Bergsteiger befand sich in einer lebensgefährlichen Situation.
The mountaineer was in a life-threatening situation.
'Lebensgefährlich' (life-threatening) can also be used as an adverb to modify a verb. The combination 'lebensgefährlich verletzt sein/werden' (to be/become critically injured) is especially common.
Bei dem Unfall wurden drei Personen lebensgefährlich verletzt.
Three people were critically injured in the accident.
sure / safe
'sicher' and 'lebensgefährlich' are clear opposites here. 'sicher' means that there is no danger, or only very little danger, and people are protected. 'lebensgefährlich' means that something is so dangerous that someone could die. So the difference is not just 'dangerous' versus 'not dangerous', but very strong: 'lebensgefährlich' describes an extreme danger. For normal safety, use 'sicher'. For situations involving danger to life, use 'lebensgefährlich'.
Auf den Gleisen am Bahnhof zu laufen ist lebensgefährlich.
Walking on the tracks at the train station is life-threatening.
Nach dem Unterricht ist die Werkstatt wieder sicher, weil alle Maschinen ausgeschaltet sind.
After class, the workshop is safe again because all the machines are switched off.