German Phrase
Was tun, wenn deine Kleidung Feuer fängt?
Meaning
The sentence asks for advice on how to react in the dangerous situation where your clothes suddenly catch fire. It is a direct, urgent question that expects a practical safety response.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing emergency safety, giving first‑aid instructions, or in a role‑play scenario about fire hazards. It is common in safety briefings, school drills, or everyday conversation about personal safety.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wastun,wenndeineKleidungFeuerfängt?
Was + Infinitiv
In German, a question asking for advice often starts with 'Was' followed directly by the infinitive verb, e.g., 'Was tun?' meaning 'What to do?'.
wenn (subordinating conjunction)
'wenn' introduces a conditional clause and pushes the verb to the end of that clause.
Possessive adjective
'deine' agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun 'Kleidung' (feminine singular, nominative).
Verb 'fangen' with noun subject
'Feuer fängt' uses the verb 'fangen' (to catch) where 'Feuer' is the subject and the verb is placed at the end of the subordinate clause.
🗨In Conversation
Was tun, wenn deine Kleidung Feuer fängt?
What should you do if your clothing catches fire?
Zuerst sofort die Flammen ersticken, dann auf den Boden legen und rollen – Stopp, hinlegen, rollen!
First smother the flames, then lie down and roll – Stop, drop, roll!
✕Common Mistakes
wenn dein Kleidung Feuer fängt
Possessive adjective must match gender: 'deine Kleidung' (feminine).
Feuer fängt an
The verb 'fangen' already means 'to catch'; adding 'an' creates a non‑standard construction.
Was machen, wenn deine Kleidung Feuer fängt?
While understandable, the idiomatic question for advice uses the infinitive after 'Was' – 'Was tun?'.
↔Alternatives
Was soll ich tun, wenn meine Kleidung in Flammen steht?
What should I do if my clothes are on fire?
Wie verhalte ich mich, wenn meine Kleidung Feuer fängt?
How should I behave if my clothing catches fire?
Was ist zu machen, wenn die Kleidung Feuer fängt?
What is to be done when the clothing catches fire?
Cultural Tip
In German fire‑safety training the classic mantra is 'Stopp, hinlegen, rollen' (Stop, lie down, roll). Many public places also display the phrase 'Feuerlöscher in der Nähe' (Fire extinguisher nearby). When giving advice, keep the tone calm and authoritative – Germans appreciate clear, concise instructions in emergencies.