Gefahr

Gefahr is a German noun meaning danger or hazard. It denotes a situation, condition, or object that can cause harm to people, animals, property, or the environment. The word is feminine: die Gefahr. The plural Gefahren is used for multiple hazards, but in many contexts the abstract concept is treated as singular.

In everyday language Gefahr is common in safety-related and technical contexts. It is often contrasted with Risiko, which denotes the probability and severity of harm. Gefahr emphasizes the existence of potential harm, while Risiko concerns likelihood and impact.

Common compounds and related terms include Gefährdung (hazard or exposure to risk), Gefährdungsbeurteilung (hazard assessment or risk assessment), Gefahrstoff (hazardous substance), and Gefahrgut (dangerous goods). The related adjective is gefährlich (dangerous); the verb gefährden means to endanger. These terms appear across workplaces, transport, and public safety.

In safety and regulation, Gefahr figures in warnings and instructions. In Germany and the European Union, the handling and labeling of dangerous substances follow CLP/GHS rules, and workplace safety requires Gefährdungsbeurteilung under applicable laws such as the Occupational Safety Act. Transport of dangerous goods is subject to specialized regulations (for example, ADR) and to national ordinances like GefStoffV in substance-related contexts.

Etymology-wise, Gefahr belongs to the Germanic language family and has cognates in other West Germanic languages, notably Dutch gevaar. The term also features in proverbs and idioms, such as Gefahr erkannt, Gefahr gebannt, reflecting its cultural presence as a concept to be acknowledged and mitigated.