German Phrase
Schau zuerst, ob Gefahr besteht.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to check first whether there is any danger. It is a typical safety instruction, urging a quick visual or situational assessment before proceeding.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal contexts when giving a quick safety reminder – e.g., before crossing a street, entering a construction area, or starting a potentially risky activity.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Schauzuerst,obGefahrbesteht.
Imperative (Schau)
‘Schau’ is the informal singular imperative of the verb ‘schauen’ (to look, to check).
Adverb position (zuerst)
‘zuerst’ (first) is placed directly after the verb in informal commands, but can also follow the verb later in the sentence.
Subordinate clause with ‘ob’
‘ob’ introduces an indirect yes/no question, turning the clause into a subordinate clause that requires verb‑final word order.
Verb ‘bestehen’ with ‘Gefahr’
‘bestehen’ is used with abstract nouns like ‘Gefahr’ to mean ‘to exist’ or ‘to be present’.
Comma usage
German requires a comma before a subordinate clause introduced by ‘ob’.
🗨In Conversation
Schau zuerst, ob Gefahr besteht, bevor du die Straße überquerst.
First, check if there is danger before you cross the street.
Alles klar, ich sehe nach.
Got it, I’ll look.
✕Common Mistakes
Schau zuerst, ob Gefahr ist.
‘Gefahr ist’ is not idiomatic; use ‘besteht’ with ‘Gefahr’.
Schau zuerst, ob Gefahr gibt.
‘Gefahr gibt’ sounds unnatural; the correct verb is ‘bestehen’.
Schau Sie zuerst, ob Gefahr besteht.
Mixing informal imperative with formal ‘Sie’ is inconsistent.
Schau, ob Gefahr besteht zuerst.
Placing ‘zuerst’ after the subordinate clause breaks the usual word order.
↔Alternatives
Sieh zuerst nach, ob Gefahr besteht.
First, look to see if there is danger.
Prüfe zuerst, ob Gefahr besteht.
First, check whether danger exists.
Sieh nach, ob Gefahr droht.
Look whether danger threatens.
Cultural Tip
In German safety instructions the informal imperative (Schau, Sieh, Prüfe) is common among peers or in written signs. In formal or professional settings you would use the polite form ‘Schauen Sie zuerst, ob Gefahr besteht.’ Also note that ‘Gefahr besteht’ is a fixed collocation; native speakers rarely say ‘Gefahr ist.’