sign of life
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sign of life
A sign or message that shows someone is still alive, especially after a long time without contact or after a dangerous situation.
Nach dem Erdbeben warteten die Angehörigen verzweifelt auf ein Lebenszeichen der Vermissten.
After the earthquake, the relatives waited desperately for a sign of life from the missing people.
The word is a compound of 'Leben' (life), in the form 'Lebens-', and 'Zeichen' (sign). So it literally means 'a sign of life.'
Jede Nachricht von den Forschern in der Antarktis war ein willkommenes Lebenszeichen.
Every message from the researchers in Antarctica was a welcome sign of life.
The most common use is the fixed expression 'ein Lebenszeichen von sich geben' (to give a sign of life / to get in touch). It means that you contact someone again after a long time.
Ruf doch mal deine Eltern an und gib ein Lebenszeichen von dir!
Why don't you call your parents and let them know you're alive!
Besides 'geben' (to give), 'Lebenszeichen' (sign of life) is often used with verbs such as 'warten auf' (to wait for), 'hoffen auf' (to hope for), or 'empfangen' (to receive) when you are waiting for a message from someone.
Wir haben seit Tagen auf ein Lebenszeichen von ihm gewartet.
We had been waiting for days for a sign of life from him.
The context shows whether a serious or an everyday situation is meant. In serious contexts, e.g. after an accident, people wait for a 'Lebenszeichen' (sign of life). In everyday life, you 'ein Lebenszeichen von sich geben' (get in touch / let someone know you're alive) when you haven't contacted someone for a long time.
Die Retter suchen nach einem Lebenszeichen der Verschütteten.
The rescuers are looking for a sign of life from those buried under the rubble.
message / news
'die Nachricht' and 'das Lebenszeichen' can both be a message from someone. 'Nachricht' is neutral and general: someone writes or says something. 'Lebenszeichen' is used when you have not heard from a person for a long time or are worried. It shows that the person is there, alive, or getting in touch again. The words can be confused because a 'Lebenszeichen' is often a 'Nachricht'. But 'Lebenszeichen' does not emphasize the content; it emphasizes that there is contact again at all.
Nach drei Wochen ohne Kontakt gibt sie endlich ein Lebenszeichen von sich.
After three weeks without contact, she finally gets in touch.
Nach der Arbeit schreibt die Gruppe eine Nachricht wegen der Reise.
After work, the group writes a message about the trip.