The German word for safety or security is die Sicherheit.
It’s used in a wide range of contexts—from physical safety and digital protection to certainty and trust. In other words, Sicherheit in German covers everything from helmets to firewalls to emotional reassurance.
It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (includes a free illustrated PDF you can download!)—a must-know for everyday conversations and more serious topics alike.
Gender and Pronunciation
It’s a feminine noun: die Sicherheit.
Struggling with gender? This video lesson helps you remember the rules with clear patterns and visuals.
Pronunciation:
Sicherheit is pronounced [ZIKH-er-hite]
“ZIKH” rhymes with “sick” with a German “ch”
“er” like in “her”
“hite” rhymes with “kite”
Three syllables: ZIKH-er-hite
Example sentences
Deine Sicherheit ist mir wichtig.
Your safety is important to me.
Wir brauchen mehr Sicherheit im Straßenverkehr.
We need more safety in traffic.
Sie sprach mit großer Sicherheit.
She spoke with great confidence (certainty).
Nuance and usage tips
🛡️ Sicherheit is the main word for both safety and security, depending on the context. For example, Datensicherheit means “data security,” while Verkehrssicherheit refers to road safety.
💬 It also means certainty or confidence in how someone communicates or acts: mit Sicherheit sagen = to say with certainty.
🔒 In tech, law enforcement, or global politics, Sicherheit appears in phrases like IT-Sicherheit (IT security), Sicherheitsdienst (security service), or Sicherheitsvorkehrungen (security precautions).
🧘 Emotionally, people might say Ich fühle mich in deiner Nähe sicher (“I feel safe around you”), using the related adjective sicher, which shares the same root.
How does this word come up in real conversations?
"Die Polizei sorgt für Sicherheit beim Konzert."
The police provide security at the concert.
"Ich brauche einfach ein bisschen mehr Sicherheit im Leben."
I just need a little more stability/safety in life.
"Sie haben neue Sicherheitsmaßnahmen eingeführt."
They introduced new safety measures.
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Timo: Fühlst du dich hier sicher?
Nina: Ja, es ist eine ruhige Gegend.
Timo: Ich finde auch. Und die Straßenbeleuchtung hilft.
Nina: Und der Hund – der passt auf!
Translation:
Timo: Do you feel safe here?
Nina: Yes, it’s a quiet area.
Timo: I agree. And the street lighting helps.
Nina: And the dog—he keeps watch!
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:
Die Sicherheit ist oberste Priorität.
Safety is the top priority.
Accusative:
Ich möchte die Sicherheit verbessern.
I want to improve security.
Dative:
Mit der Sicherheit steigt auch das Vertrauen.
With safety comes trust.
Genitive:
Die Bedeutung der Sicherheit wird oft unterschätzt.
The importance of safety is often underestimated.
Other ways to say safety or security in German
While Sicherheit is the main word for safety or security in German, there are more specific terms depending on the situation. Geborgenheit describes emotional safety or a deep sense of comfort, especially in close relationships. Schutz means “protection,” and often appears in phrases like Sonnenschutz (sun protection) or Kinderschutz (child protection). In tech and infrastructure, you may hear Absicherung for safeguarding systems or finances. Still, in most general cases—emotional, physical, digital—Sicherheit is the go-to term.
Word variations and tidbits
You’ll find Sicherheit all over modern German: Sicherheitsgurt (seatbelt), Sicherheitsabstand (safe distance), Sicherheitsnadel (safety pin), and Sicherheitsdienst (security service). In grammar books, you might come across mit Sicherheit as a phrase meaning “definitely.” Politicians and headlines love it too: Nationale Sicherheit (national security), Sicherheitskonferenz, or innere Sicherheit. It’s one of those rare words that bridges personal, political, and technical language without ever feeling out of place.
🧠 Fun fact: The root word sicher comes from Latin securus, meaning “without worry.” That etymology carries through—whether you’re talking about locking a door or feeling at peace.
📘 Duden entry for Sicherheit
🎥 Want to build your vocabulary with confidence and clarity? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 German nouns—with examples, structure, and a printable illustrated PDF.
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