01
sichern
to secure
To protect something from danger, loss, or damage; to make something safe.
example
Die Feuerwehrleute sicherten das einsturzgefährdete Gebäude.
The firefighters secured the building that was at risk of collapse.
sichern
to secure / save
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'sichern' (to secure) is derived directly from the adjective 'sicher' (safe/sure). So the act of 'Sichern' (securing) always has the goal of bringing something into a safe state.
EXAMPLE
Bist du sicher, dass du die Tür abgeschlossen hast?
Are you sure you locked the door?
Protection from something
If you want to express what something is being protected from, you use the prepositions 'vor' (from) or 'gegen' (against). The preposition is always followed by the dative with 'vor' and the accusative with 'gegen'.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte sein Haus vor Einbrüchen sichern.
You should secure your house against break-ins.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'sich etwas verschaffen' (to obtain something for oneself), 'sichern' is used reflexively with a dative pronoun and an accusative object. The structure is: subject + sichert + sich (dative) + etwas (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft sicherte sich den Sieg in letzter Minute.
The team secured the victory in the last minute.
Context clue: digital
In connection with computers, programs, and data, 'sichern' almost always means 'speichern' (to save). Watch for words like 'Datei' (file), 'Dokument' (document), or 'Festplatte' (hard drive).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss meine Fotos schnell auf einer externen Festplatte sichern.
I need to quickly save my photos on an external hard drive.
Context clue: police
In a police or criminological context, 'sichern' means collecting and preserving traces or evidence. Typical words in this context are 'Tatort' (crime scene), 'Spuren' (traces), and 'Beweismittel' (evidence).
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler konnten am Tatort wichtige Spuren sichern.
The investigators were able to secure important traces at the crime scene.
Context clue: climbing
In a sports context, especially in climbing or mountaineering, 'sichern' has the specific meaning of protecting another person from falling with a rope.
EXAMPLE
Beim Klettern ist es lebenswichtig, den Partner korrekt zu sichern.
When climbing, it is vital to belay your partner correctly.
Compare with
sichern vs schützen
to protect
'schützen' and 'sichern' both have to do with safety. 'schützen' is used when someone or something is kept safe from danger, harm, or negative influences. The focus is on the danger. 'sichern' often means to make something safe, fasten it, or protect it from loss. For example, you can 'sichern' data, a door, a place, or, when climbing, a person with a rope. The words can be confused because both can keep something from harm. In practical terms: 'schützen' fits protection from a danger, while 'sichern' fits fastening, saving, or guaranteeing.
sichern
Zu Hause sichert Julian die Fotos auf einer externen Festplatte.
At home, Julian backs up the photos on an external hard drive.
schützen
Beim Radfahren schützt sie ihren Kopf mit einem Helm.
When cycling, she protects her head with a helmet.
In real life
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