incident
Loading your saved state.
incident
A sudden, usually unexpected and often negative or noteworthy event or occurrence.
Nach dem Vorfall in der Kantine wurde eine Untersuchung eingeleitet.
After the incident in the cafeteria, an investigation was launched.
'Der Vorfall' (incident) is derived from the separable verb 'vorfallen', which means 'geschehen' (to happen) or 'passieren' (to occur). It is made up of 'vor' and 'Fall' and literally describes something that 'falls down in front of' someone or happens.
Es ist gestern Abend etwas Seltsames vorgefallen.
Something strange happened yesterday evening.
The word 'Vorfall' (incident) often has an official or serious tone. It is frequently used in news reports, police reports, or formal notices to describe a noteworthy, usually negative event.
Die Polizei untersucht den Vorfall vom Wochenende.
The police are investigating the incident from the weekend.
Common adjectives combined with 'Vorfall' (incident) are 'ernst' (serious), 'unangenehm' (unpleasant), 'seltsam' (strange), or 'bedauerlich' (regrettable). Typical verbs are 'einen Vorfall melden' (to report an incident), 'untersuchen' (to investigate), or 'aufklären' (to clarify/solve).
Es gab einen ernsten Vorfall an der Grenze.
There was a serious incident at the border.
case / fall
'der Fall' and 'der Vorfall' can both refer to a concrete event or occurrence. However, 'der Fall' is more general: it can mean a situation, an example, or also a matter handled by the police or a court. 'der Vorfall' sounds more concrete and usually means a sudden, noticeable, or unpleasant incident. After an argument, accident, or problem, people often say 'der Vorfall'. When something is being investigated or described as a single problem, 'der Fall' often fits. The words can be confused because an incident can later become a case.
Nach dem Vorfall am Bahnhof waren viele Fahrgäste nervös.
After the incident at the train station, many passengers were nervous.
Die Polizei prüft den Fall seit Montag.
The police have been investigating the case since Monday.