Der Unfall
Example: Der Unfall auf der Autobahn verursachte lange Staus und Verzögerungen.
Definition
"Der Unfall" refers to an accident, typically an unplanned event resulting in damage, injury, or disruption. It often involves vehicles or machinery, as in the phrase 'Der Unfall auf der Autobahn verursachte lange Staus und Verzögerungen,' meaning the accident on the highway caused long traffic jams and delays.
Etymology
The word "der Unfall" comes from the German prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of,' combined with 'Fall,' meaning 'fall' or 'case.' Originally, it implied something that did not happen as planned or a mishap. Did you know that "Unfall" literally translates to 'non-fall' or 'unintended fall,' highlighting its meaning as an unforeseen event?
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"Der Unfall" appears in the Vocaplus list "German - General - (C1) - set 1", containing 120 commonly used words.
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