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.
to get in touch
To contact someone again after a long silence or absence.
Nach drei Wochen im Urlaub hat er endlich mal ein Lebenszeichen von sich gegeben und eine E-Mail geschrieben.
After three weeks on vacation, he finally got in touch and wrote an email.
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.
feedback / response
Rückmeldung is usually an answer or reaction to a previous request, message, or action. A Lebenszeichen is a message after a long period of silence or absence and can also occur without a previous request. Above all, it shows that the person can be reached again.
Nach drei Monaten ohne Kontakt gab Paul endlich wieder ein Lebenszeichen von sich.
After three months without contact, Paul finally got in touch again.
Nach meiner Anfrage schickte mir Paul am Abend eine kurze Rückmeldung.
After my inquiry, Paul sent me a brief reply that evening.
