When we speak about things that scare us, we can use Angst haben to articulate our fear. You can have a look at this lesson in which we discuss the prepositions used along with this verb to talk about being afraid.
When it comes to describing something as scary or frightening, it's important to note that ängstlich is not the correct adjective, as this means "anxious" or "fearful":
Joringel war sehr ängstlich und warnte Jorinde, nicht näher zu gehen.
Joringel was very anxious and warned Jorinde not to go any closer.
Caption 15, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Jorinde und Joringel
Play Caption
The adjective erschreckend can be applied in many contexts, and can mean both "alarming" and "frightening."
Erschreckend sind die Zahlen bei den Vierzehn- bis Siebzehnjährigen.
The figures for fourteen to seventeen year olds are alarming.
Caption 31, Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten: Die ZDF Sommerinterviews
Play Caption
For something that is more than merely alarming—perhaps even terrifying—stronger adjectives exist:
Gespensterkrebse mögen furchterregend aussehen, aber auch sie wählen andere Nahrung.
Skeleton shrimp may look terrifying, but they also prefer different sustenance.
Captions 4-5, Abenteuer Nordsee: Unter Riesenhaien und Tintenfischen
Play Caption
Diese Tiere sind oft sehr angsteinflößend.
These animals are often very fear-inducing.
Caption 13, Ratespiel: Meerestiere
Play Caption
If you've watched our recent Yabla German videos about Halloween, you might have noticed that Ivana and Paula use the word gruselig quite a lot. This means "spooky" or "creepy."
Halloween wäre nicht Halloween ohne gruselige Kostüme.
Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without spooky costumes.
Captions 24-25, Halloween: Grusel, Spaß und Kürbisse
Play Caption
The adjective schaurig is even stronger, and can even be translated as "ghastly."
Heute tauchen wir ein in die schaurige Welt von Halloween.
Today, we're going to dive into the eerie world of Halloween.
Captions 3-4, Halloween Grusel, Spaß und Kürbisse
Play Caption
Further Learning
If you haven't already, check out the Halloween videos that went up last week on Yabla German, and review the verb Angst haben if necessary.
The German adjective gerecht means “fair” or “equitable,” and describes something in accordance with justice or correctness. Related adjectives include ungerecht (“unjust” or “unfair”), its direct opposite, and gerechtfertigt (“justified”), which often applies to actions or decisions.
Jetzt ist Schluss mit lustig! -Aber das ist nicht gerecht!
Now the fun is over! -But that's not fair!
Caption 28, Der kleine Nick: Nachmittag bei Adalbert
Play Caption
Gerade in Zeiten wie diesen braucht es eine linke Opposition, die sich stark macht für soziale Gerechtigkeit.
Especially in times like these, there is a need for a left-wing opposition that campaigns for social justice.
Captions 25-26, Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten: Die ZDF Sommerinterviews
Play Caption
In compound adjectives, -gerecht provides the connotation of something being appropriate or fair for a particular group.
Das Stück lebt vom Charme und den komödiantischen Talenten der Darsteller, die es gekonnt schaffen, die Kinder altersgerecht und zeitgemäß zu begeistern.
The play comes to life through the charm and comedic talents of the performers, who skillfully manage to inspire the children in ways [that are] age-appropriate and in tune with the times.
Captions 23-24, Theaterstück über gesunde Ernährung: Henrietta in Fructonia
Play Caption
Artgerecht ist diese Haltung nicht, aber... Bei ihm war's jetzt halt nicht anders möglich.
This enclosure is not appropriate for this species, but... With him it wasn't possible any other way now.
Captions 78-79, Für Tierfreunde Die Eichhörnchenfee
Play Caption
One way of stating that something is appropriately or fairly named, or deserves a certain reputation also involves gerecht:
Also, die Sonneninsel wurde ihrem Namen wieder mal gerecht.
Well, Sun Island really lived up to its name once again.
Caption 11, Die Insel Fehmarn: Gästeboom
Play Caption
Da zeigen sich ganze Kolonien des Alpenmurmeltieres tagsüber ungeniert und werden ihrem Ruf als Faulenzer gerecht.
Entire colonies of alpine marmots appear during the day, free of inhibition, and live up to their reputation as layabouts.
Captions 14-15, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 2
Play Caption
Although you won't see it as often, gerecht is also the past participle (Partizip II) of the verb rechen, which means "to rake."
Früher, als das Laub noch mit der Hand gerecht wurde, hat man mehr Laubhaufen stehen lassen - scheint mir.
Formerly, when the leaves were still raked by hand, more piles of leaves were left—it seems to me.
Captions 53-54, Deutsch mit Eylin: Herbst in Hamburg
Play Caption
Further Learning
You'll find other words, such as fachgerecht, on Yabla German.
We've previously written about weather, including wind and rain specifically, but today we'll look at temperatures in particular.
In Germany, temperatures are measured in Celsius rather than Fahrenheit. Here are a few conversions for your reference:
50°F = 10°C
68°F = 20°C
86°F = 30°C
To state a temperature, using betragen is more formal than simply saying haben or liegen. As we wrote in a previous lesson, we use das Grad rather than der Grad with temperature:
In den Tiefen des Schmalen Luzin hat das Wasser noch eine Temperatur von vier Grad Celsius.
In the depths of the Schmaler Luzin lake, the water still has a temperature of four degrees Celsius.
Captions 22-23, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen
Play Caption
Dort beträgt die Temperatur konstant vier Grad Celsius.
The temperature there is a constant four degrees Celsius.
Caption 28, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen
Play Caption
Die Temperaturen liegen um die fünf Grad.
The temperatures will be at around five degrees.
Caption 12, WetterOnline: Schnee und Sonne zum ersten Advent
Play Caption
Here are a few phrases for talking about temperatures rising and falling:
Je größer die Temperaturschwankungen sind, desto stärker spüre ich meine Knochen.
The greater the temperature fluctuations are, the more I feel it in my bones.
Captions 16-17, Nicos Weg: Wieder so ein Wetter
Play Caption
Die Temperatur darf nie über vierzehn Grad steigen.
The temperature must never rise above fourteen degrees [Celsius].
Caption 18, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen
Play Caption
Nur wer sich an schnelle Wetterstürze und langanhaltende Winter anpassen kann, überlebt.
Only those who can adapt to rapid drops in temperature and long-lasting winters survive.
Captions 33-34, Die letzten Paradiese: Schätze der Natur - Südtirol
Play Caption
The compound nouns die Höchsttemperatur and die Durchschnittstemperatur can also be useful for talking about weather trends.
Übrigens liegt hier die jährliche Durchschnittstemperatur über dem deutschen Durchschnitt.
By the way, the annual average temperature here is above the German average.
Captions 24-25, Yabla reist durch Europa: Mainz
Play Caption
Am fünfzehnten Siebten misst Bayern mit achtunddreißig Komma acht Grad, die bislang höchste Temperatur in diesem Jahr.
On the fifteenth of July, Bavaria measured thirty-eight point eight degrees [Celsius], the highest temperature so far this year.
Captions 55-56, Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten: Die ZDF Sommerinterviews
Play Caption
Further Learning
Practice talking about the current temperature, average temperature for a given month, and record high temperature where you live. You can also refer to additional examples on Yabla German.