German Phrase
Bleib von den Fenstern weg.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to keep a distance from the windows. It is often used for safety reasons, for example when children or pets might be tempted to climb or lean on a window.
When to use
Use this phrase in homes, schools, labs, or any place where windows could be a hazard. It is informal and addressed to a single person you know well; for formal situations you would say "Bleiben Sie von den Fenstern weg."
✦Grammar Breakdown
BleibvondenFensternweg
Imperative of bleiben
"Bleib" is the singular informal imperative of the verb "bleiben" (to stay).
Preposition von + Dative
"von" always governs the dative case; therefore "Fenstern" takes the dative plural form.
Dative plural article
"den" is the dative plural definite article for neuter nouns like "das Fenster".
Adverb weg
"weg" is an adverb meaning "away" and follows the prepositional phrase in this construction.
🗨In Conversation
Darf ich zum Fenster gehen?
May I go to the window?
Bleib von den Fenstern weg.
Stay away from the windows.
✕Common Mistakes
Bleib von den Fenster weg.
The noun must be in dative plural after "von"; the correct form is "Fenstern".
Bleibe von den Fenstern weg.
While "Bleibe" is also an imperative, native speakers almost always use the short form "Bleib" in this context.
Bleib aus den Fenstern weg.
"aus" means "out of" and changes the meaning; you need "von" for "away from".
↔Alternatives
Halte dich von den Fenstern fern.
Keep yourself away from the windows.
Geh nicht an die Fenster.
Don't go to the windows.
Bleib weg von den Fenstern.
Stay away from the windows.
Cultural Tip
German households, especially in apartments with low windows, often stress safety around windows. The construction "Bleib … weg" is colloquial and very common in everyday speech. Remember that the formal version uses "Sie" – "Bleiben Sie von den Fenstern weg."