wehe!
don't you dare!
An exclamation that warns of impending danger or unpleasant consequences and often expresses a threat.
EXAMPLE
Wehe, du fasst noch einmal meine Sachen an!
Don't you dare touch my things again!
wehe
don't you dare / woe betide
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence patterns
'Wehe' (don't you dare) usually comes at the beginning of a sentence and is often followed by a subordinate clause with 'wenn' (if) or by a direct statement. After 'wenn', the verb goes at the end; when addressing someone directly, normal main-clause word order is retained.
EXAMPLE
Wehe, wenn du meinen Schlüssel wieder mitnimmst!
You'll be sorry if you take my key again!
Wehe, du erzählst jemandem davon!
Don't you dare tell anyone about this!
Dative after wehe
When the person being threatened is explicitly named, they often appear in the dative: 'Wehe dir!' (Woe betide you!), 'Wehe ihm!' (Woe betide him!), or 'Wehe euch!' (Woe betide you all!). This dative identifies the person facing unpleasant consequences.
EXAMPLE
Wehe dir, wenn du zu spät nach Hause kommst!
Woe betide you if you come home late!
Dramatic style
'Wehe' (don't you dare) sounds forceful, dramatic, and sometimes deliberately exaggerated. The exclamation can therefore also be used jokingly when a warning is not meant seriously.
EXAMPLE
Wehe, du isst den letzten Keks, bevor ich zurück bin!
Don't you dare eat the last cookie before I get back!
In real life
Loading video examples...