wake-up call
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wake-up call
A call or signal intended to wake someone at a specific time. This can be done by an alarm clock, a telephone, or a person.
Ich habe an der Hotelrezeption einen Weckruf für 6 Uhr morgens bestellt.
I requested a wake-up call at the hotel reception for 6 a.m.
wake-up call
In a figurative sense, an event that jolts someone and suddenly makes them aware of a danger, a problem, or the need to act.
Die schlechten Quartalszahlen waren ein Weckruf für das gesamte Management.
The poor quarterly figures were a wake-up call for the entire management team.
'Weckruf' (wake-up call) is a compound noun made from the verb 'wecken' (to wake) and the noun 'der Ruf' (the call). The literal meaning is therefore a call that wakes someone.
Der laute Schrei war ein unerwarteter Weckruf für das ganze Haus.
The loud scream was an unexpected wake-up call for the whole house.
In its literal meaning, 'Weckruf' (wake-up call) is often used in a hotel context. Typical verbs are 'einen Weckruf bestellen' (to request a wake-up call) or 'einen Weckruf bekommen' (to get a wake-up call).
Könnten Sie mir für morgen früh um 5:30 Uhr einen Weckruf einrichten?
Could you arrange a wake-up call for me tomorrow morning at 5:30?
In the figurative meaning, 'Weckruf' (wake-up call) is often used with the preposition 'für' to show who or what is supposed to be jolted awake. It is then a signal to act.
Der Unfall war ein Weckruf für alle, vorsichtiger zu fahren.
The accident was a wake-up call for everyone to drive more carefully.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about sleeping, but about problems, dangers, or the need for change. Words like 'Krise' (crisis), 'Problem' (problem), or 'Gefahr' (danger) point to this meaning.
Diese Naturkatastrophe muss ein Weckruf für die Politik sein.
This natural disaster must be a wake-up call for politicians.
alarm clock
“Der Wecker” refers to the device that makes a sound at a set time. “Der Weckruf” (wake-up call), on the other hand, refers to the call or signal itself, regardless of whether it comes from an alarm clock, a telephone, or a person. So the distinction is between the device and the wake-up signal.
Das Hotel bestellte für sieben Uhr einen Weckruf, damit ich pünktlich aufwachte.
The hotel arranged a wake-up call for seven o'clock so that I would wake up on time.
Ich stellte den Wecker auf sieben Uhr, damit ich pünktlich aufwachte.
I set the alarm clock for seven o'clock so that I would wake up on time.
