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Questions & Answers about Die Gefahr ist vorbei.
What are the roles of each word in the sentence?
- Die: definite article, feminine nominative singular (“the”).
- Gefahr: noun, feminine, “danger” (plural: Gefahren).
- ist: 3rd person singular of sein (“is”).
- vorbei: adverb used predicatively, meaning “over/past.” With sein, vorbei sein = “to be over.”
Why is it die Gefahr and not der or das?
Because Gefahr is grammatically feminine in German. Its definite article in the nominative singular is die. You just have to memorize noun genders.
Why does vorbei come at the end?
German main clauses are verb-second: the finite verb (ist) is in second position. The predicative element (vorbei) naturally sits later in the clause. So: Subject (Die Gefahr) + Verb (ist) + Predicative adverb (vorbei).
Is vorbei an adjective here?
No. It’s an adverb/particle used predicatively with sein. It doesn’t take endings and doesn’t agree with the noun. Think of the set phrase vorbei sein (“to be over”).
Can I say Die Gefahr ist vorüber instead? Any difference?
Yes. vorüber is a near-synonym of vorbei in this structure. vorüber sounds a bit more formal or literary; vorbei is the everyday default. Both are standard.
Can I say Die Gefahr ist über (literally “over”)?
No. German über doesn’t mean “finished” in this context. Use vorbei, or sometimes zu Ende for events (e.g., Der Krieg ist zu Ende). With danger, vorbei or alternatives like gebannt/überstanden/abgewendet are idiomatic.
Can I drop the article and say Gefahr ist vorbei?
Not in normal full sentences. You can see Gefahr vorbei! in headlines, signs, or telegraphic/exclamatory style. In standard speech/writing, keep the article: Die Gefahr ist vorbei.
How do I negate this naturally?
- Die Gefahr ist nicht vorbei. = The danger is not over.
- Die Gefahr ist noch nicht vorbei. = The danger is not over yet.
Adding noch conveys the “yet” sense and is very common.
Can I front vorbei for emphasis: Vorbei ist die Gefahr?
Yes. That inversion is grammatical and adds focus/poetic flavor. Neutral statement remains Die Gefahr ist vorbei.
How do I turn it into a question or add a tag?
- Yes/no question: Ist die Gefahr vorbei?
- Tag-style: Die Gefahr ist vorbei, oder?
German typically uses oder? as a general tag.
What are good alternatives, and how do they differ?
- Die Gefahr ist gebannt. = The danger has been banished/neutralized.
- Die Gefahr ist abgewendet. = The danger was averted (prevented).
- Die Gefahr ist überstanden. = The danger has been weathered/survived.
- Es besteht keine Gefahr mehr. = There is no danger anymore.
Use these depending on whether the danger simply ended (vorbei) or was actively prevented/overcome.
Is Die Gefahr ist zu Ende idiomatic?
It’s uncommon with Gefahr. zu Ende fits better with events/time spans (e.g., Die Vorstellung ist zu Ende). For danger, prefer vorbei, gebannt, abgewendet, or überstanden.
How do I pronounce the sentence?
- Gefahr: [gə-FAHR]—stress on the second syllable; v = [f]; the h lengthens the a; final r is often softly vocalized.
- vorbei: [for-BYE]—stress on the second syllable; v = [f]; ei = [aɪ].
- ist: short, crisp [ist].
What about tense changes?
- Past narrative: Die Gefahr war vorbei.
- Future: Die Gefahr wird vorbei sein.
- Past perfect (rare, for sequencing): Die Gefahr war schon vorbei gewesen.
Present perfect like ist vorbei gewesen is possible but clunky; use simple past for stories.
Can I make it plural or refer back with a pronoun?
- Plural: Die Gefahren sind vorbei. (if multiple dangers are meant)
- Pronoun (after mentioning die Gefahr): Sie ist vorbei.
Be sure the feminine pronoun sie refers unambiguously to die Gefahr.
How does Es ist vorbei differ?
Es ist vorbei = “It’s over” without specifying what. Die Gefahr ist vorbei names the thing that’s over. Use Es ist vorbei if context already makes the referent clear.
Anything to know about related phrases with Gefahr?
Common collocations:
- in Gefahr sein/geraten = to be/get into danger
- Gefahr droht = danger threatens
- außer Gefahr sein = to be out of danger
- Lebensgefahr = mortal danger
These help you talk about danger in various contexts beyond “it’s over.”