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German Phrase

Ist der Klimawandel wirklich eine echte Bedrohung?

/ɪst deːɐ̯ ˈkliːmaˌvɑndl ˈvɪʁklɪç ˈaɪ̯nə ˈeːçtə bəˈdʁoːʊŋ/
Meaning"Is climate change really a genuine threat?"
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Meaning

The sentence asks whether climate change is truly a real threat. It invites the listener to evaluate the seriousness of climate change, often in a debate or discussion about environmental policy.

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When to use

Use this question in formal debates, classroom discussions, news‑analysis podcasts, or casual conversations when you want to probe someone’s opinion on the urgency of climate change.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IstderKlimawandelwirklicheineechteBedrohung?

1

Verb 'sein' in Fragen

‘Ist’ is the 3rd‑person singular present of ‘sein’. In yes/no questions it moves to the first position.

2

Nominativ: der Klimawandel

‘Klimawandel’ is a masculine noun; with the definite article ‘der’ it stays in the nominative case as the subject.

3

Adverb ‘wirklich’

‘wirklich’ modifies the whole predicate and means ‘really’ or ‘truly’.

4

Accusative with ‘eine’ + adjective

‘Bedrohung’ is feminine; after the indefinite article ‘eine’ the adjective takes the ending ‘-e’ (echte).

5

Question mark

The question mark signals a yes/no question; intonation rises at the end.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ist der Klimawandel wirklich eine echte Bedrohung?

Is climate change really a genuine threat?

Ja, die wissenschaftlichen Daten zeigen, dass er bereits erhebliche Auswirkungen hat.

Yes, the scientific data show that it already has significant impacts.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ist der Klimawandel wirklich der echte Bedrohung?

    ‘Bedrohung’ is feminine; the indefinite article must be ‘eine’, not ‘der’.

  • Ist der Klimawandel wirklich eine echt Bedrohung?

    When an adjective follows ‘eine’, it needs the ending ‘-e’ (echte).

  • Ist der Klimawandel eine echte Bedrohung wirklich?

    Placing ‘wirklich’ after the noun changes the emphasis; keep it before the noun phrase for the intended meaning.

↔Alternatives

  • Stellt der Klimawandel eine echte Gefahr dar?

    Does climate change pose a real danger?

  • Ist der Klimawandel tatsächlich eine Bedrohung?

    Is climate change actually a threat?

  • Wie ernst ist die Bedrohung durch den Klimawandel?

    How serious is the threat posed by climate change?

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Cultural Tip

In German, ‘Bedrohung’ often refers to a more abstract, long‑term danger, while ‘Gefahr’ can sound more immediate. Both are acceptable, but ‘Bedrohung’ fits well in scientific or policy discussions. Adding ‘wirklich’ or ‘tatsächlich’ adds emphasis and signals that you’re questioning the reality of the threat, not just its magnitude.