drohen
/ˈdʁoːən/ verb B1- to threaten · Die Geschäftsleitung drohte der Belegschaft mit Lohnkürzung. The management threatened the employees with a pay cut.· Sie drohte den Jugendlichen mit der Polizei. She threatened the youths with the police.
- to loom, to be able to happen in the future [with dative ‘to someone’] (of negative events or consequences, often expressed in English as "there is a risk of...") · Nach den Überschwemmungen drohen wie immer Epidemien. As always, there is the risk of epidemics after a flood.· Es droht ein Unwetter. There is a risk of a thunderstorm happening.
- to be in danger of something, to be on the verge of something, to threaten · Das Gebäude ist baufällig und droht einzustürzen. The building is dilapidated and in danger of collapsing.· Die Friedensverhandlungen drohen zu scheitern. Peace negotiations are at risk of failing.
Verb forms
- Infinitive
- drohen
- Present (er)
- droht
- Präteritum (er)
- drohte
- Perfekt (er)
- hat gedroht
- Infinitive with zu
- zu drohen
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