German Phrase
Meide dunkle, abgelegene Orte.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to stay away from places that are both dark and far away from populated areas. It is a concise safety warning, often used when giving practical advice about where not to go, especially at night or in unfamiliar surroundings.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to warn a friend, family member, or colleague about unsafe locations – for example, before a night hike, when discussing city neighborhoods, or while giving travel safety tips.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Meidedunkle,abgelegeneOrte.
Imperative (du) – Meide
‘Meide’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘meiden’ (to avoid). It is used for giving direct advice or orders to a familiar person.
Weak adjective declension – dunkle, abgelegene
Because the noun ‘Orte’ is in the accusative plural with no article, the adjectives take the weak ending ‘-e’ (dunkle, abgelegene).
Accusative plural noun – Orte
‘Orte’ is the plural of ‘Ort’ (place) and is the direct object of the verb ‘meiden’, therefore it appears in the accusative case.
Comma usage
A comma separates two coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun, emphasizing that both qualities apply.
🗨In Conversation
Ich will heute Abend allein durch den Wald laufen.
I want to walk alone through the forest this evening.
Meide dunkle, abgelegene Orte.
Avoid dark, remote places.
✕Common Mistakes
Vermeide dunkle, abgelegene Orte.
‘Vermeide’ is also correct but changes the nuance; ‘meiden’ stresses avoidance as a habit, while ‘vermeiden’ stresses a one‑time action.
Meide dunkel, abgelegene Orte.
Without the ending ‘-e’ the adjective does not agree with the plural noun in the weak declension.
Meide dunkle, abgelegenen Orte.
The ending ‘-en’ would be used with a definite article; here there is no article, so the weak ending is ‘-e’.
Meide dunkle, abgelegene Ortes.
‘Ortes’ is singular genitive; the sentence needs the accusative plural ‘Orte’.
↔Alternatives
Vermeide finstere, einsame Plätze.
Avoid gloomy, lonely spots.
Bleib von dunklen, abgelegenen Gegenden fern.
Stay away from dark, isolated areas.
Geh nicht in dunkle, abgelegene Orte.
Don’t go into dark, remote places.
Cultural Tip
In German, the imperative form ‘Meide’ is informal (du‑form). If you need to sound more polite or address strangers, you would use the Sie‑imperative: ‘Meiden Sie dunkle, abgelegene Orte.’ German safety advice often prefers the direct imperative because it sounds clear and decisive, especially in emergency or travel contexts.