die Sicherheit
safety
The state in which one is protected from dangers or risks.
EXAMPLE
Die Sicherheit der Fahrgäste hat für uns oberste Priorität.
The safety of the passengers is our top priority.
die Sicherheit
safety / certainty / security
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Meanings
die Sicherheit
certainty
The certainty that something is true, correct, or reliable.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann nicht mit letzter Sicherheit sagen, ob er die Wahrheit spricht.
I can't say with absolute certainty whether he is telling the truth.
die Sicherheit
security / collateral
A sum of money or valuable item deposited as a guarantee, for example in a rental contract or for a loan.
EXAMPLE
Als neuer Mieter musste er eine Sicherheit in Höhe von zwei Monatsmieten hinterlegen.
As a new tenant, he had to deposit security equal to two months' rent.
die Sicherheit
security
Collectively refers to people or an organization responsible for protection and order (e.g., security service, police).
EXAMPLE
Die Sicherheit am Eingang kontrollierte die Taschen der Besucher.
Security at the entrance checked the visitors' bags.
mit Sicherheit
certainly
A fixed expression meaning that something is completely certain or definitely the case.
EXAMPLE
Sie wird mit Sicherheit zur Party kommen.
She will certainly come to the party.
Usage tips
Word family
'Sicherheit' (safety/certainty/security) is the noun corresponding to the adjective 'sicher' (safe/sure). The ending '-heit' is often used to turn an adjective into an abstract noun that describes a state or quality.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob das die richtige Entscheidung ist.
I'm not sure whether that is the right decision.
Typical collocations
In the context of protection from danger, 'Sicherheit' (safety) is often used with certain verbs. Typical expressions are 'jemanden in Sicherheit bringen' (to get someone to safety), 'für Sicherheit sorgen' (to ensure safety), or 'die Sicherheit gewährleisten' (to guarantee safety).
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehr brachte die Bewohner des Hauses in Sicherheit.
The fire department got the residents of the house to safety.
Typical collocations
When it is about certainty, 'Sicherheit' (certainty) often appears in phrases such as 'mit Sicherheit sagen' (to say with certainty), 'absolute Sicherheit haben' (to have absolute certainty), or 'keine Sicherheit geben' (to give no certainty/guarantee).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann dir leider keine hundertprozentige Sicherheit geben, dass der Plan funktioniert.
Unfortunately, I can't give you one hundred percent certainty that the plan will work.
Context clue
This meaning occurs almost only in a financial or legal context. Signal words are verbs such as 'hinterlegen' (to deposit) or 'leisten' (to provide), as well as nouns such as 'Kredit' (loan), 'Miete' (rent), or 'Kaution' (deposit).
EXAMPLE
Für den Kredit verlangt die Bank eine Sicherheit.
For the loan, the bank requires collateral.
Context clue
In this meaning, 'Sicherheit' (security) is used in the singular but refers to a group of people. You can recognize it when the word, as the subject, performs an action, e.g., 'die Sicherheit kontrolliert' (security checks) or 'die Sicherheit greift ein' (security intervenes).
EXAMPLE
Die Sicherheit hat den Mann aus dem Stadion entfernt.
Security removed the man from the stadium.
Sentence structure and use
The fixed expression 'mit Sicherheit' (certainly/with certainty) functions like an adverb expressing a high degree of certainty. It can stand at the beginning of a sentence (then the verb follows) or in the middle of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Mit Sicherheit wird es morgen regnen.
It will certainly rain tomorrow.
Compare with
Sicherheit vs Schutz
protection
Schutz is the action, measure, or barrier that wards off a danger. Sicherheit is more the resulting state of having less risk. A fence therefore provides protection and increases safety without necessarily guaranteeing it completely.
Sicherheit
Durch den neuen Zaun ist die Sicherheit der Kinder auf dem Spielplatz größer.
The new fence has made the playground safer for the children.
Schutz
Der neue Zaun bietet den Kindern auf dem Spielplatz Schutz vor der Straße.
The new fence protects the children at the playground from the road.
In real life
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