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A2 adjective #1,000 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

ill

Top 1,000

At the A1 level, 'ill' is a simple word that means you do not feel good. It is like saying 'not healthy' or 'sick'. You use it to tell people why you cannot come to school or play. For example, 'I am ill today.' It is a very important word for talking about your body and how you feel. You usually use it with the word 'feel' or 'am'. If your head hurts or you have a cold, you can say you are ill. It is a short word, so it is easy to remember. Most people will understand you if you say 'I am ill' when you have a problem with your health. You should learn this word early so you can ask for help when you need a doctor or medicine.

At the A2 level, you should know that 'ill' is an adjective used to describe someone who is not well. You will often hear it in the phrase 'feel ill'. For example, 'I ate too much cake and now I feel ill.' You should also know that 'ill' is more common in British English, while 'sick' is more common in American English. At this level, you can start using it to describe other people too, like 'My brother is ill, so he is staying in bed.' You might also see it in simple signs at a doctor's office. It is important to distinguish 'ill' from 'bad', although they are related. 'Ill' specifically refers to health at this level. You can also use it to explain absences: 'She was ill yesterday, so she missed the meeting.'

At the B1 level, you begin to see 'ill' used in more specific ways. You might learn about 'illness' as a noun. You will also notice that 'ill' is often used with adverbs to show how bad the health problem is, such as 'seriously ill' or 'critically ill'. You should understand that 'ill' is usually used after a verb (predicatively) and not before a noun. For instance, you say 'He is ill', but you would say 'He is a sick man' instead of 'He is an ill man'. You also start to encounter 'ill' in fixed phrases like 'ill health' or 'mental illness'. This level requires you to understand the social context of the word—it sounds a bit more serious and formal than 'sick'. You might use it in a formal email to your boss to explain why you are taking a day off.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the secondary meanings of 'ill' which relate to 'bad' or 'unfavorable'. You will encounter compound adjectives like 'ill-fated' (destined for a bad end), 'ill-advised' (not sensible), and 'ill-equipped' (not having the right tools). You should also understand the nuance between 'ill' and 'sick' in different English-speaking regions. In the UK, 'sick' often specifically means vomiting, while 'ill' is the general term for being unwell. You will also see 'ill' used in more abstract contexts, such as 'ill will' (bad feelings toward someone) or 'ill effects' (negative consequences). Your vocabulary should include the ability to use 'ill' in formal reports or essays, particularly when discussing public health or social issues.

At the C1 level, you master the idiomatic and formal applications of 'ill'. You understand phrases like 'it's an ill wind that blows nobody good' and can use 'ill' to describe complex social or economic situations, such as 'the ill-gotten gains of the corrupt regime'. You are aware of the subtle registers where 'ill' is preferred over 'sick' to maintain a professional or literary tone. You also recognize 'ill' in its adverbial form in older or more formal texts (e.g., 'to speak ill of someone'). You can discuss the etymology of the word and how its meaning has shifted from 'bad' in Old Norse to its modern health-related primary meaning. You are also likely aware of the slang usage of 'ill' in hip-hop culture to mean 'excellent' and can navigate these vastly different contexts with ease.

At the C2 level, you have a complete command of 'ill' in all its archaic, literary, and contemporary forms. You can appreciate the use of 'ill' in Shakespearean English or 19th-century literature, where it was used more freely as an attributive adjective. You understand the philosophical implications of 'ill' when used to describe moral failings or systemic problems in society. You can use the word with precision in academic writing, perhaps discussing 'morbidity' and 'illness' in a sociological or medical context. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic and phonaesthetic qualities of the word in poetry and prose. Your understanding extends to the most obscure idioms and the finest distinctions between 'ill', 'ailing', 'infirm', and 'indisposed', allowing you to choose the exact word for any rhetorical purpose.

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ill in 30 Sekunden

Primarily means being unwell or sick, especially in British English contexts.
Commonly used after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'look'.
Also means 'bad' or 'harmful' in compound adjectives like 'ill-fated'.
In slang, it can ironically mean 'very cool' or 'impressive'.

The word ill is a foundational adjective in the English language, primarily used to describe a state of being unwell or suffering from a disease or physical ailment. At its core, it signifies that the body or mind is not functioning at its optimal health. While it is often used interchangeably with 'sick', 'ill' frequently carries a slightly more formal or serious tone, particularly in British English. When a person says they are ill, they are communicating a disruption in their physical well-being that might range from a minor cold to a life-threatening condition.

Core Definition: Suffering from physical or mental sickness; not in good health.
Formal Usage: Often preferred in professional or written contexts to describe medical conditions, such as 'terminally ill' or 'mentally ill'.
Predicative Nature: In modern English, 'ill' is mostly used after a verb like 'be', 'feel', or 'become'. We say 'He is ill', but rarely 'an ill man' (where 'sick' is preferred).

Sarah had to cancel her trip because she fell suddenly ill with a high fever.

Beyond physical health, 'ill' also possesses a secondary meaning related to badness or harm. This is seen in phrases like 'ill effects' or 'ill will'. In these contexts, it functions as an attributive adjective meaning 'bad', 'unlucky', or 'hostile'. This dual nature makes 'ill' a versatile word that learners must master to understand both medical discussions and more abstract descriptions of negativity. Historically, the word comes from Old Norse 'illr', meaning bad or difficult, which explains why it still carries these darker connotations today.

The patient is too ill to receive visitors at this time.

He bears no ill will toward his former competitors.

The economic crisis had an ill effect on the local housing market.

If you feel ill, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Mental Health: The term is frequently used in the phrase 'mentally ill' to describe psychiatric conditions with sensitivity.
Social Context: Using 'ill' can sometimes signal that the condition is more enduring or serious than just being 'sick' for a day.

Using 'ill' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical placement. Unlike many adjectives that can comfortably sit before a noun (like 'a happy dog'), 'ill' is primarily a predicative adjective. This means it usually follows a linking verb. For example, 'The boy is ill' is perfect, but 'The ill boy' sounds archaic or overly poetic to modern ears. This distinction is vital for learners who want to sound natural.

With Linking Verbs: Commonly follows: be, feel, look, seem, become, fall. Example: 'She looks ill today.'
Adverbial Modification: It is often modified by adverbs of degree: seriously ill, critically ill, mentally ill, chronically ill, suddenly ill.
Compound Adjectives: In its 'bad' sense, it forms compounds: ill-fated, ill-advised, ill-equipped, ill-informed.

After the long voyage, many of the sailors fell ill with scurvy.

When describing the severity of a condition, 'ill' is the standard choice in medical reporting. You will hear news anchors say a public figure is 'gravely ill'. In these instances, 'sick' would sound too informal or imprecise. Furthermore, 'ill' is used in the comparative 'worse' and superlative 'worst' when referring to health, though 'iller' and 'illest' exist in specific slang dialects (meaning 'very cool'), they are not used in standard medical English.

It would be ill-advised to go outside without a coat in this freezing weather.

The company was ill-equipped to handle the sudden surge in customer demand.

He has been ill for several weeks and is finally seeing a specialist.

The news of her father's ill health spread quickly through the village.

The 'Ill Health' Exception: While 'ill' is usually predicative, the phrase 'ill health' is a very common fixed expression where it acts attributively.
Negation: We often use 'not well' instead of 'ill' to be more polite or less direct: 'I'm not feeling very well' vs 'I am ill'.

In daily life, 'ill' appears in a variety of settings, from the clinical environment of a hospital to the casual slang of a street corner. In a medical context, doctors and nurses use 'ill' to categorize the state of patients. You might see 'critically ill' on a medical chart or hear a doctor explain that a patient is 'chronically ill', meaning their condition is long-lasting. This usage is precise and professional.

In the Workplace: Employees 'call in sick' (US) or 'report they are ill' (UK) to take 'sick leave' or 'illness-related absence'.
In Literature: Classic novels often use 'ill' to describe the delicate health of characters, often with a sense of impending tragedy.
In News Media: Reports on public health crises or the status of world leaders almost exclusively use 'ill' for its formal weight.

The hospital spokesperson announced that the Prime Minister remains seriously ill but stable.

Interestingly, 'ill' has a vibrant life in urban slang, particularly within hip-hop culture. In this context, 'ill' undergoes a 'semantic inversion' where it means something is incredibly good, impressive, or 'cool'. A rapper might have an 'ill flow', or a dancer might perform an 'ill move'. This is a stark contrast to its standard meaning of being unwell. Understanding this context is crucial for learners engaging with modern English media, music, and youth culture.

Yo, that beat is ill! I've never heard anything like it.

Many people in the city became ill after the water supply was contaminated.

The old man lived alone and was frequently ill during the winter months.

She spoke no ill of her neighbors, despite their constant noise.

Legal and Formal Docs: Phrases like 'ill-gotten gains' appear in legal discussions regarding money obtained through illegal means.
Weather Proverbs: 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody good' is an old saying meaning that most misfortunes benefit someone.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is using 'ill' as an attributive adjective (before a noun) when they mean 'unwell'. While you can say 'a sick child', saying 'an ill child' is generally avoided in modern spoken English. It sounds like something out of a 19th-century novel. Remember: use 'ill' after the verb.

Attributive vs. Predicative: Wrong: 'The ill man went to the doctor.' Right: 'The man who was ill went to the doctor' or 'The sick man...'
Confusing 'Ill' and 'Bad': While 'ill' can mean bad, it's limited to specific collocations. You can't say 'This is an ill movie' to mean it's a bad movie (unless you're using slang to mean it's good!).
Ill vs. Sick (Nausea): In British English, if you say 'I was sick', people think you vomited. If you say 'I was ill', they think you had a general health problem.

Incorrect: He is an ill student. Correct: He is a sick student / The student is ill.

Another mistake is the over-reliance on 'ill' in American contexts. If you have a headache or a minor stomach ache in the US, saying 'I am ill' might cause unnecessary alarm. Americans typically reserve 'ill' for more significant or chronic diseases. Conversely, in the UK, using 'sick' to mean 'unwell' is becoming more common due to American media influence, but 'ill' remains the standard.

Incorrect: I feel ill at my stomach. Correct: I feel sick to my stomach.

Incorrect: He has an ill flu. Correct: He has a bad case of the flu / He is ill with the flu.

Incorrect: She is ill of her job. Correct: She is sick of her job (meaning bored/annoyed).

Incorrect: An ill person should stay home. Correct: A sick person should stay home.

Comparative Confusion: Do not use 'more ill' often; 'worse' is the standard comparative form for health.
Preposition Use: We say 'ill with' a disease, not 'ill of' or 'ill by'. Example: 'Ill with pneumonia'.

Understanding the synonyms for 'ill' helps you choose the right word for the right situation. While 'sick' is the most common alternative, there are many others that convey specific nuances of health and well-being.

Sick vs. Ill: 'Sick' is more common in US English and can be used before a noun. 'Ill' is more formal and primarily used after a verb.
Unwell: A very polite, slightly formal way to say someone is ill. It's often used when you don't want to sound too dramatic.
Poorly: Common in British English, especially when talking about children or the elderly. 'He's a bit poorly today.'
Ailing: Used for long-term illness or to describe a failing organization (e.g., 'the ailing economy').

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I might stay in.

For more clinical or serious situations, words like 'indisposed' or 'infirm' might be used. 'Indisposed' is a very formal way to say someone is too ill to attend an event. 'Infirm' usually refers to the weakness associated with old age. On the idiom side, 'under the weather' is the most popular way to describe feeling slightly ill without being specific.

The CEO is indisposed and will not be able to attend the meeting.

He has been ailing for years, but his spirit remains strong.

She was sick with worry when her cat didn't come home.

The infirm patients require constant care and attention.

Peaked: A British term meaning looking pale and ill. 'You look a bit peaked, dear.'
Nauseous: Specifically refers to feeling like you want to vomit. 'The smell made me nauseous.'

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

In Old Norse, 'illr' was the general word for 'bad'. It wasn't until the 12th century that it started being used specifically to describe physical sickness.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɪl/

US /ɪl/

Single syllable word; no internal stress.

Reimt sich auf

bill fill hill kill mill pill still will

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it like 'eel' (/iːl/) with a long vowel.
Confusing the vowel with 'ale' (/eɪl/).
Making the 'l' sound too soft or silent.
Over-aspirating the initial vowel.
Confusing it with 'aisle' (/aɪl/).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize but has multiple meanings in literature.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of predicative vs. attributive use.

Sprechen 2/5

Simple pronunciation but regional differences exist.

Hören 2/5

Easy to hear, though rhymes with many common words.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

sick bad feel health well

Als Nächstes lernen

illness disease symptom recovery treatment

Fortgeschritten

morbidity indisposed infirmity pathological convalesce

Wichtige Grammatik

Predicative Adjectives

We say 'He is ill' (after the verb) but not 'the ill man'.

Hyphenating Compound Adjectives

Use a hyphen in 'ill-advised' when it comes before a noun.

Adverbs of Degree

Use 'seriously', 'critically', or 'very' to modify 'ill'.

Linking Verbs

'Ill' follows verbs like feel, look, seem, and become.

Prepositional Phrases

Use 'ill with' to specify the sickness (e.g., ill with a cold).

Beispiele nach Niveau

I am ill today.

Je suis malade aujourd'hui.

Subject + verb 'to be' + adjective.

He feels ill.

Il se sent malade.

Subject + linking verb 'feel' + adjective.

Are you ill?

Es-tu malade ?

Question form using 'to be'.

My mom is ill.

Ma maman est malade.

Possessive adjective + noun + verb + adjective.

I don't want to be ill.

Je ne veux pas être malade.

Negative construction with 'want to be'.

She looks very ill.

Elle a l'air très malade.

Use of 'very' as an intensifier.

The dog is ill.

Le chien est malade.

Simple subject-verb-adjective.

Stay home if you are ill.

Reste à la maison si tu es malade.

Imperative sentence with a conditional clause.

I felt ill after eating that fish.

Je me suis senti mal après avoir mangé ce poisson.

Past tense of 'feel'.

She has been ill for three days.

Elle est malade depuis trois jours.

Present perfect for duration.

He became ill during the flight.

Il est tombé malade pendant le vol.

Use of 'become' to show a change in state.

If you feel ill, go to the doctor.

Si tu te sens mal, va chez le médecin.

First conditional structure.

Many children were ill last winter.

Beaucoup d'enfants étaient malades l'hiver dernier.

Plural subject with past tense.

I am too ill to go to work.

Je suis trop malade pour aller travailler.

Too + adjective + to-infinitive.

She looks less ill than yesterday.

Elle a l'air moins malade qu'hier.

Comparative with 'less'.

Is anyone else feeling ill?

Est-ce que quelqu'un d'autre se sent mal ?

Present continuous question.

The patient is seriously ill and needs surgery.

Le patient est gravement malade et a besoin d'une chirurgie.

Adverb 'seriously' modifying 'ill'.

He suffered from ill health most of his life.

Il a souffert d'une mauvaise santé la majeure partie de sa vie.

Fixed expression 'ill health'.

Mental illness is a serious topic.

La maladie mentale est un sujet sérieux.

Noun form 'illness'.

She fell ill just before the exams started.

Elle est tombée malade juste avant le début des examens.

Idiomatic 'fall ill'.

I hope you don't think ill of me.

J'espère que tu ne penses pas du mal de moi.

Adverbial use meaning 'badly'.

The news of his death was an ill omen.

La nouvelle de sa mort était un mauvais présage.

Attributive use meaning 'bad'.

He was ill-prepared for the difficult interview.

Il était mal préparé pour l'entretien difficile.

Compound adjective with hyphen.

The medicine made her feel even more ill.

Le médicament l'a fait se sentir encore plus mal.

Comparative 'more ill' (less common than 'worse').

The project was ill-fated from the very beginning.

Le projet était voué à l'échec dès le début.

Compound adjective 'ill-fated'.

He bears no ill will toward his former partner.

Il n'éprouve aucune rancune envers son ancien partenaire.

Noun phrase 'ill will'.

It was an ill-advised decision to invest all the money.

C'était une décision peu judicieuse d'investir tout l'argent.

Compound adjective 'ill-advised'.

The community suffered the ill effects of the pollution.

La communauté a subi les effets néfastes de la pollution.

Attributive use in 'ill effects'.

The terminally ill patient was kept comfortable.

Le patient en phase terminale a été maintenu dans le confort.

Adverb 'terminally' modifying 'ill'.

She was ill-equipped to deal with such a crisis.

Elle était mal équipée pour faire face à une telle crise.

Compound adjective 'ill-equipped'.

There is no ill intent behind his comments.

Il n'y a aucune mauvaise intention derrière ses commentaires.

Attributive use in 'ill intent'.

The cat fell ill and had to be taken to the vet.

Le chat est tombé malade et a dû être emmené chez le vétérinaire.

Phrasal verb 'fall ill'.

The ill-gotten gains were eventually seized by the police.

Les gains mal acquis ont finalement été saisis par la police.

Fixed phrase 'ill-gotten gains'.

He spoke ill of his rivals behind their backs.

Il a dit du mal de ses rivaux dans leur dos.

Idiomatic 'speak ill of'.

It's an ill wind that blows nobody good.

À quelque chose malheur est bon.

Proverbial usage.

The company was plagued by ill-timed investments.

L'entreprise a été tourmentée par des investissements malvenus.

Compound adjective 'ill-timed'.

The report highlights the ill-treatment of refugees.

Le rapport souligne les mauvais traitements infligés aux réfugiés.

Noun 'ill-treatment'.

She was an ill-starred lover, destined for tragedy.

C'était une amante malheureuse, vouée à la tragédie.

Literary adjective 'ill-starred'.

The city was ill-prepared for the magnitude of the earthquake.

La ville était mal préparée à l'ampleur du tremblement de terre.

Adverbial compound.

His ill-tempered outburst shocked everyone in the room.

Son accès de mauvaise humeur a choqué tout le monde dans la pièce.

Compound adjective 'ill-tempered'.

The protagonist's ill-concealed disdain was evident to all.

Le dédain mal dissimulé du protagoniste était évident pour tous.

Compound adjective 'ill-concealed'.

They were living in an era of ill-defined moral boundaries.

Ils vivaient à une époque de frontières morales mal définies.

Compound adjective 'ill-defined'.

The treaty was seen as an ill-judged attempt at peace.

Le traité a été considéré comme une tentative de paix malavisée.

Compound adjective 'ill-judged'.

He was an ill-favored man, with a face like a crushed boot.

C'était un homme disgracieux, avec un visage comme une botte écrasée.

Archaic/Literary 'ill-favored' (unattractive).

The ill-breeding of the young heir was a scandal.

Le manque d'éducation du jeune héritier était un scandale.

Noun 'ill-breeding' (bad manners).

The project suffered from ill-distributed resources.

Le projet a souffert de ressources mal réparties.

Compound adjective 'ill-distributed'.

She had an ill-omened feeling about the journey ahead.

Elle avait un sentiment de mauvais augure concernant le voyage à venir.

Compound adjective 'ill-omened'.

The ill-usage of the machinery led to its eventual breakdown.

Le mauvais usage de la machine a conduit à sa panne finale.

Noun 'ill-usage'.

Häufige Kollokationen

fall ill

seriously ill

mentally ill

ill health

ill will

ill effects

terminally ill

critically ill

chronically ill

look ill

Häufige Phrasen

Call in ill

Speak ill of

Ill at ease

Ill-gotten gains

Ill-fated

Ill-advised

Ill-equipped

Ill-informed

Ill-tempered

Ill-timed

Wird oft verwechselt mit

ill vs eel

A long, snake-like fish. Pronounced with a long 'ee' sound.

ill vs aisle

A passage between rows of seats. Pronounced like 'I'll'.

ill vs ale

A type of beer. Pronounced with a long 'a' sound.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good"

A situation that is bad for one person usually benefits someone else.

The storm broke the fence, but the repairman got work; it's an ill wind that blows nobody good.

Proverbial

"Take ill"

To become sick suddenly.

She took ill during the wedding ceremony.

Formal/Literary

"Ill-starred"

Unlucky or destined for misfortune.

They were ill-starred lovers.

Literary

"Bear ill will"

To have bad feelings or resentment toward someone.

I hope you don't bear me any ill will.

Neutral

"Ill-favored"

Ugly or unattractive.

An ill-favored building in the center of town.

Archaic

"Ill-bred"

Badly brought up; rude.

His ill-bred behavior was embarrassing.

Formal

"Ill-concealed"

Hardly hidden; obvious.

She looked at him with ill-concealed anger.

Neutral

"Ill-judged"

Poorly planned or thought out.

The ill-judged prank went wrong.

Neutral

"Ill-omened"

Suggesting that something bad will happen.

The ill-omened clouds gathered overhead.

Literary

"Ill-usage"

Bad treatment or incorrect use.

The machine broke due to ill-usage.

Formal

Leicht verwechselbar

ill vs sick

They have the same basic meaning.

Sick is more common in the US and can be used before a noun. Ill is more formal and used after a verb.

A sick dog (Correct) / An ill dog (Unnatural).

ill vs bad

Ill can mean bad in some phrases.

Bad is general. Ill is used for health or specific compounds like 'ill-fated'.

A bad apple / An ill omen.

ill vs unwell

Both mean not healthy.

Unwell is a polite euphemism. Ill is more direct and can imply more severity.

He is feeling unwell (Polite) / He is ill (Direct).

ill vs poorly

Both describe health.

Poorly is mostly British and informal. Ill is standard English.

The child is poorly.

ill vs nauseous

Both relate to feeling sick.

Nauseous specifically means feeling like you will vomit. Ill is general.

I feel nauseous after the ride.

Satzmuster

I am ill.

I feel ill.

He is seriously ill.

She fell ill with...

She fell ill with the flu.

It was ill-advised to...

It was ill-advised to leave.

I bear no ill will.

Speak ill of someone.

Don't speak ill of him.

Ill-gotten gains.

His ill-gotten gains.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Adjektive

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in British English; less common in American English.

Häufige Fehler

An ill man. → A sick man.
'Ill' is rarely used before a noun in modern English.
I am ill of this weather. → I am sick of this weather.
'Sick of' is the idiom for being tired of something, not 'ill of'.
He is more ill than yesterday. → He is worse than yesterday.
'Worse' is the standard comparative for health.
I feel ill to my stomach. → I feel sick to my stomach.
'Sick to my stomach' is a fixed American idiom.
He is a very ill-prepared. → He is very ill-prepared.
Don't use 'a' before an adjective unless a noun follows.

Tipps

Placement Matters

Always place 'ill' after the verb (e.g., 'She is ill'). Avoid putting it before the noun.

Use Compounds

Learn compounds like 'ill-fated' and 'ill-informed' to expand your descriptive range.

UK vs US

Use 'ill' in London and 'sick' in New York to sound more like a local.

Be Gentle

Use 'unwell' if you want to be extra polite when talking about someone's health.

Contextual Slang

Only use 'ill' to mean 'cool' with friends who understand hip-hop slang.

Formal Reports

In medical or business reports, 'ill' is preferred over 'sick'.

Short Vowel

Keep the 'i' sound short and quick, like in 'it' or 'is'.

No Ill Will

Use 'no ill will' to show you aren't angry after a conflict.

News Cues

When you hear 'critically ill' on the news, it means the person is in danger.

Pill for Ill

Remember: If you are ill, you take a pill. They rhyme!

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of the 'i' in 'ill' as a person standing up, and the 'll' as the bars of a hospital bed. If you are 'ill', you are in that bed.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a green face emoji (🤢) or a thermometer. These are universal symbols for being ill.

Word Web

Sick Fever Doctor Hospital Medicine Unwell Health Bed

Herausforderung

Try to use 'ill' in three different ways today: once for health, once as a compound (like ill-advised), and once in a common phrase.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Middle English word 'ille', which comes from the Old Norse word 'illr'. It originally meant 'bad', 'evil', or 'difficult'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Bad, wicked, or difficult.

Germanic (Old Norse)

Kultureller Kontext

When discussing 'mental illness', be careful with the context to ensure you are being supportive and not using the term as an insult.

British people use 'ill' for general sickness. Americans use 'sick'.

Licensed to Ill (Beastie Boys album) Illmatic (Nas album) The 'ill-fated' Titanic

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At the Doctor

I feel ill.
How long have you been ill?
He is seriously ill.
I fell ill last night.

At Work

I'm calling in ill.
She is off ill today.
Illness-related absence.
I hope you feel better.

In Literature

An ill omen.
Speak no ill.
An ill-starred life.
Ill-gotten wealth.

Daily Conversation

You look a bit ill.
I feel ill at ease.
No ill will.
I'm not ill, just tired.

In the News

Critically ill.
Terminally ill.
Mentally ill.
Gravely ill.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Have you ever fallen ill while you were on a vacation?"

"What do you usually do when you feel a bit ill?"

"Do you think people use 'ill' or 'sick' more in your country?"

"What is the best soup to eat when you are feeling ill?"

"How do you tell your boss that you are too ill to work?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a time when you were very ill and how you recovered.

Write about a character who is ill-fated. What happens to them?

Discuss the importance of supporting people with mental illness in society.

What does the phrase 'no ill will' mean to you in a friendship?

Reflect on a time you were ill-prepared for a big event.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, 'ill' is generally considered more formal, especially in American English. In British English, it is the standard word for being unwell, but still carries a slightly more serious weight than 'poorly'.

It is grammatically possible but sounds very unnatural in modern English. It is much better to say 'a sick person' or 'a person who is ill'.

It means that an action or decision was not sensible and is likely to result in a bad outcome. For example, 'Going out in the rain without an umbrella was ill-advised'.

Yes, 'mentally ill' is a standard and respectful way to describe someone with a psychiatric condition. 'Mental illness' is the noun form.

In the UK, 'sick' often specifically means 'vomiting' or 'nauseous'. 'Ill' is the general term for any kind of health problem, like a cold or the flu.

It means to say negative or critical things about someone, especially when they are not there to defend themselves.

In some slang contexts, particularly in hip-hop culture, 'ill' is used to mean 'very good', 'cool', or 'impressive'. However, this is very informal.

It is a common phrase used to describe a general state of being unwell over a period of time. People often retire or leave jobs due to 'ill health'.

In standard English, 'worse' is the comparative of 'ill'. 'Iller' is only used in slang to mean 'cooler'.

You use it to describe someone who feels uncomfortable, nervous, or awkward in a situation. 'He was ill at ease during the formal dinner'.