die Unfallursache
cause of an accident
The reason or cause that led to an accident.
EXAMPLE
Die Unfallursache war ein technischer Defekt an den Bremsen.
The cause of the accident was a technical defect in the brakes.
die Unfallursache
cause of an accident
die Unfallursache, die Unfallursachen
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Unfallursache, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unfallursachen |
| genitive | der Unfallursache |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Unfallursache | die Unfallursachen |
| accusative | die Unfallursache | die Unfallursachen |
| dative | der Unfallursache | den Unfallursachen |
| genitive | der Unfallursache | der Unfallursachen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound words
'Unfallursache' consists of 'Unfall' (accident) and 'Ursache' (cause). The two words are joined directly, without any additional letters between them.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei prüft, ob zu hohe Geschwindigkeit die Unfallursache war.
The police are investigating whether excessive speed was the cause of the accident.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'die Unfallursache ermitteln' (to determine the cause of the accident) and 'die Unfallursache klären' (to clarify the cause of the accident). When the result has not yet been established, the phrase 'die Unfallursache ist noch unklar' (the cause of the accident is still unclear) is typical.
EXAMPLE
Die Fachleute konnten die Unfallursache erst nach mehreren Wochen ermitteln.
The experts were only able to determine the cause of the accident after several weeks.
Searching for causes
A common pattern is 'nach der Unfallursache suchen' (to search for the cause of the accident). 'Nach' is followed by the dative, so the cause being sought is not connected as a direct object here.
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler suchen noch nach der Unfallursache.
The investigators are still searching for the cause of the accident.
In real life
Loading video examples...