das Mahnmal, -e

The German word "Mahnmal" is a compound noun made up of "mahnen" and "Mal". "Mahnen" means "to warn" or "to admonish", and "Mal" means "mark" or "monument". Together, "Mahnmal" refers to a monument or memorial designed to serve as a warning or reminder of a historical event, often a tragic or serious one, such as the Holocaust.

Similar words in German include "Denkmal" (monument), "Erinnerungsstätte" (memorial site), and "Gedenkstätte" (memorial site).

• "Denkmal" refers more broadly to any kind of monument or statue designed to honor or remember an event, person, or concept, without the inherent connotation of warning.
• "Erinnerungsstätte" and "Gedenkstätte" generally imply places meant for remembering or commemorating something, but don't specifically convey the aspect of warning or admonishment that is intrinsic to "Mahnmal".

The difference is that "Mahnmal" carries a stronger implication of teaching a lesson or warning future generations about past mistakes, whereas the other terms can be for commemoration without necessarily aiming to warn.