siren
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siren
A device that produces a very loud, usually wailing sound to warn of danger or to draw attention to an emergency vehicle (e.g., police, fire department, ambulance).
Jeden ersten Samstag im Monat wird die Sirene zur Probe ausgelöst.
Every first Saturday of the month, the siren is triggered for a test.
siren
A mythical creature from Greek mythology, half woman and half bird or fish, that lured sailors with its song and led them to ruin.
Odysseus ließ sich an den Mast binden, um dem Gesang der Sirenen widerstehen zu können.
Odysseus had himself tied to the mast so he could resist the song of the sirens.
This word has two very different meanings, but they are always clear from context. If people are talking about mythology, sailors, and singing, the mythical creature is meant. If it is about alarms, danger, or emergency vehicles, the warning device is meant.
Die alten Griechen erzählten sich Geschichten über den gefährlichen Gesang der Sirenen.
The ancient Greeks told stories about the dangerous song of the sirens.
To describe the sound of a siren, the verbs 'heulen' (to wail) or 'ertönen' (to sound) are often used. When the alarm starts, people also say colloquially 'die Sirene geht los' (the siren goes off).
Mitten in der Nacht begann eine Sirene zu heulen.
In the middle of the night, a siren began to wail.
In a mythological context, the combination 'der Gesang der Sirenen' (the song of the sirens) is a very fixed expression. It describes the enchanting and at the same time dangerous call of the mythical creatures.
Der Held der Sage konnte dem Gesang der Sirenen widerstehen.
The hero of the legend was able to resist the song of the sirens.
mermaid
A Sirene and a mermaid are mythical creatures with female forms and can both be associated with the sea. The Sirene of legend lures people with her singing and puts them in danger, while the mermaid is characterized by her fish's lower body. Use “Sirene” for dangerous luring and “mermaid” for the fish-like form.
In der alten Sage lockte die Sirene die Seeleute mit ihrem schönen Gesang an.
In the old legend, the siren lured the sailors with her beautiful singing.
Auf dem Bild saß eine Meerjungfrau mit einem Fischschwanz auf einem Felsen.
In the picture, a mermaid with a fish tail was sitting on a rock.
