lebensgefährlich

Lebensgefährlich is a German adjective meaning "dangerous to life" or "life-threatening." It is used to describe conditions, injuries, or situations that present an immediate risk of death if medical care or intervention is not provided promptly. The term signals a high level of urgency and the need for rapid assessment and action.

The word is formed from Leben (life) and gefährlich (dangerous). In practice, lebensgefährlich is commonly paired with nouns such as Verletzungen, Erkrankung, oder Situation to indicate that the danger to life is present. It is often used interchangeably with lebensbedrohlich in everyday language and in medical reporting, although some speakers perceive slight nuances: lebensgefährlich can emphasize the immediacy of the risk, while lebensbedrohlich may stress the threat to life more generally.

In medical and emergency contexts, lebensgefährlich is not a formal diagnosis but a descriptor of severity. It is used in triage, clinical documentation, news reporting, and safety warnings to convey that a patient’s life is at immediate risk and that urgent treatment is required. Examples include lebensgefährliche Verletzungen after accidents, lebensbedrohliche Infektionen, or conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, extensive burns, or severe poisoning.

In public communication, warnings may label substances or situations as lebensgefährlich to alert people to imminent risk. While both lebensgefährlich and lebensbedrohlich indicate life-threatening danger, the choice of term may reflect regional usage or stylistic preference in medical, media, or safety contexts.