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If you’ve ever taken a foreign language class, you’ll recall that among the first things you’re taught are greetings, introductions and polite phrases. While this is all well and good, when you’re actually living in a country, expanding your essential vocabulary to another category of words is highly advisable: those that carry a warning. Even if you don’t learn to write these words, being able to recognize them can keep you out of danger or prevent you from having to pay a hefty fine.
Below you’ll find an alphabetical list of just some of the words of warning you’re likely to spot on signs or might need to report an emergency to the appropriate authorities. Remember the German language adores a compound word, so you might need to divide and conquer to get to the bottom of a meaning; i.e., Rettungshubschrauberlandeplatz = Rettungs = rescue / hubschrauber = helicopter / landeplatz = landing pad.
Abschleppzone: tow-away zone
abstellen verboten: no parking or leaving behind an object such as a bicycle or moped
Achtung: attention or warning. This word is oftentimes followed by specification of the nature of the hazard or obstacle; i.e. Achtung Hochwasser = caution floodwaters
Anlieger frei: residents only
auf eigene Gefahr: at your own risk
ausser Betrieb: out of order
Baustelle: construction site
Brand: fire
Bußgeld: fine or penalty fee
Eichenprozessionsspinner Allergiegefahr: oak processionary moth caterpillars present; allergy risk. This warning is found in areas prone to nests of these pests. They can cause a nasty reaction in both pets and humans.
Eltern haften für Ihrer Kinder: Parents are responsible for their children
Erste-Hilfe-Station: first aid station
Erstickungsgefahr: a choking hazard, particularly for small children.
Ertrinkungsgefahr: risk of drowning; in other words, don’t swim here
freihalten: keep clear
giftig: toxic, poisonous
glatte: slippery
Hochspannung: high voltage
Hunde an die Leine: dogs must be leashed
kann Spuren von – enthalten: a warning on food labels explaining the product can contain traces of a potential allergen, for example “Erdnüssen,” peanuts
kein Trinkwasser: the water in this fountain, faucet or spring is not of drinking quality. As the word “kein” is a negation, the noun that follows describes what the thing is not. Kein Spielplatz, for example, warns that this is not a suitable place for children to play; Kein Eintritt or Kein Zugang means no entry.
Lebensgefahr: threatening to one’s life
nass: wet
nicht anfassen: do not touch
nicht betreten: do not enter
nicht füttern: do not feed (the animals in the cage in front of you)
nicht gestattet: not allowed
Notausgang: emergency exit
Notbremse: emergency brake
Notfall: emergency. Im Notfall 112 anrufen means “in the event of an emergency, call 112.”
Pflicht: a duty or an obligation. Maskenpflicht means one must be wearing a mask; Leinenpflicht means a dog must be on a leash.
Privatgrundstück: private property
Rettungsdienst: emergency or rescue services
Trittsicherheit und Schwindelfreiheit unerlässlich: surefootedness and a head for heights are essential; a warning sign you are likely to encounter when hiking in mountainous areas.
Schneelawinengefahr: an area in which an avalanche of snow is likely to occur
Sperrgebeit or Sperrbezirk: off-limits zone, no-go area
Straf: penalty; Straftat = punishable offense
Strom: electrical current
Strömung: a current in a river
Umleitung: detour (on transport); Umweg (for pedestrians)
unbefugtes betreten verboten: unauthorized entry prohibited
Unfall: accident
untersagt: prohibited; forbidden
verboten: forbidden, for example, Rauchen verboten, no smoking
Verbrennungsgefahr: flammable, or carries the risk of burning
Verletzung: injury
Vorsicht: caution; for example, Vorsicht vor dem Hund = beware of dog
Zufahrt freihalten: keep access road free
Zutritt verboten: access or entry prohibited
