riskant
risky
Associated with a risk; daring, dangerous, or with an uncertain outcome.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem Wetter ist eine Bergtour eine riskante Unternehmung.
In this weather, a mountain tour is a risky undertaking.
riskant
risky
riskant – riskanter – am riskantesten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry riskant, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | riskant |
|---|---|
| comparative | riskanter |
| superlative | am riskantesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to riskant.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to riskant.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to riskant.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'riskant' (risky) is directly related to the noun 'das Risiko' (risk). If you know the noun, you can easily work out the meaning of 'riskant' (risky).
EXAMPLE
Eine Investition in diese neue Firma ist mit einem hohen Risiko verbunden, sie ist also sehr riskant.
An investment in this new company involves a high risk, so it is very risky.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
A very typical sentence structure with 'riskant' (risky) is 'Es ist riskant, etwas zu tun' (It is risky to do something). This describes exactly which action is associated with a risk.
EXAMPLE
Es ist riskant, bei diesem Nebel ohne Licht zu fahren.
It is risky to drive without lights in this fog.
Typical collocations
'Riskant' (risky) often describes abstract things like plans, decisions, or deals. Typical combinations are 'eine riskante Entscheidung' (a risky decision), 'ein riskantes Manöver' (a risky maneuver), or 'ein riskantes Geschäft' (a risky deal).
EXAMPLE
Der Chef hat eine riskante Entscheidung getroffen, die die Firma viel Geld kosten könnte.
The boss made a risky decision that could cost the company a lot of money.
Compare with
riskant vs gefährlich
dangerous
Gefährlich and riskant can both warn of possible harm. Gefährlich puts the existing danger in the foreground. Riskant emphasizes more strongly that someone is taking a chance and that the outcome is uncertain or could be bad.
riskant
Trotz der unsicheren Wetterlage weiterzuklettern ist riskant, weil der Ausgang schwer einzuschätzen ist.
Continuing to climb despite the uncertain weather is risky because the outcome is difficult to predict.
gefährlich
Ohne Sicherung zu klettern ist gefährlich, weil ein Sturz schwere Verletzungen verursachen kann.
Climbing without safety equipment is dangerous because a fall could cause serious injuries.
In real life
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