Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #6,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

wund

Top 6,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces wund en 30 secondes

Explication wund in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'wund' as a word for basic physical discomfort. It is most commonly used to describe skin that hurts because it is red or irritated. For example, if you walk a lot in new shoes, your feet might be 'wund'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Mein Fuß ist wund' (My foot is sore). At this stage, do not worry about metaphorical meanings. Just associate it with 'ouch' and 'red skin'. You might see this word on labels for creams in a drug store (Drogerie) like Rossmann or dm. It is a useful word if you need to explain a small health problem to a doctor or a pharmacist. Remember that it is an adjective, so it describes a noun. You don't 'have a wund', you 'are wund' or 'have a wunde Stelle' (sore spot). Focus on the physical sensation of chafing.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you can start using 'wund' with more specific verbs and in slightly more complex situations. You should learn the expression 'sich die Füße wund laufen' (to walk one's feet sore), which is very common when talking about holidays or hiking. You will also encounter 'wund' in the context of baby care, as 'ein wunder Po' (a sore bottom) is a frequent topic for parents. You should be able to distinguish between 'wund' (chafed) and 'verletzt' (injured/hurt). For example, if you fall, you are 'verletzt', but if your belt is too tight, your skin is 'wund'. You can also start to recognize 'Wundsalbe' as a compound noun. Your vocabulary is growing to include specific types of physical states, and 'wund' is a key part of describing surface-level skin irritation.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand both the physical and the metaphorical uses of 'wund'. You should be familiar with the idiom 'einen wunden Punkt treffen' (to hit a sore spot) and be able to use it in a conversation about sensitive topics. You should also understand the grammatical construction 'sich [dative] [body part] wund [verb]', such as 'Ich habe mir den Hals wund geschrien' (I screamed my throat sore). This level requires you to distinguish between the adjective 'wund' and the noun 'die Wunde' (the wound). You should know that 'wund' describes a state of irritation, while 'Wunde' refers to a specific injury like a cut. You might also encounter 'wund' in news reports or articles discussing social 'sore spots'. Your ability to use 'wund' metaphorically shows that you are moving beyond basic survival German into more nuanced expression.

At the B2 level, your use of 'wund' should be precise and varied. You should understand its use in professional contexts, such as medicine (Wundversorgung - wound care) or sports science. You can use 'wund' to describe complex emotional states in a more literary way, perhaps describing a heart or a soul as 'wund'. You should be comfortable with the declension of the adjective in all cases, such as 'wegen meiner wunden Füße' (because of my sore feet - genitive). You will also start to see 'wund' in more abstract compound words or in formal writing. For instance, a critic might write about the 'wunden Punkte' of a government's policy. At this level, you understand that 'wund' conveys a specific kind of vulnerability that other words like 'schmerzhaft' or 'schlimm' do not capture. You are also aware of the historical relationship between 'wund' and 'Wunde' and how they have diverged in modern usage.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic nuances of 'wund'. You might encounter it in classical literature (e.g., Goethe or Schiller) where it is used to describe existential suffering. You understand the subtle difference between 'wund' and 'gereizt' in a medical or psychological context. You can use the word to create vivid imagery in your own writing, perhaps describing the 'wunde Atmosphäre' (sore/tense atmosphere) after a heated debate. You are also familiar with more obscure compounds and derivatives. Your understanding of the word includes its role in German idioms and how these idioms can be subtly altered for rhetorical effect. You can discuss the etymology of the word and its cognates in other Germanic languages, reflecting a deep linguistic interest. 'Wund' is no longer just a word for a rash; it is a tool for expressing deep-seated sensitivity and unhealed trauma.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'wund' and all its connotations. You can appreciate the word's use in high-level academic discourse, such as in psychology or sociology, where it might describe collective 'wunde Stellen' in a nation's history. You understand the rhythm and sound of the word in poetry, where the short, sharp 'wund' can mimic the stinging pain it describes. You can use it with perfect grammatical accuracy in the most complex resultative constructions. You are also aware of regional variations or archaic uses that might appear in older texts. 'Wund' becomes a part of your expressive repertoire that allows you to describe the finest shades of physical and emotional rawness. You can explain the word to others, including its history, its psychological depth, and its multifaceted role in the modern German language.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

wund en 30 secondes

Wund is a German adjective primarily used to describe skin that is sore, chafed, or raw due to repetitive friction or irritation.
It is commonly used in physical contexts like sports (chafing) and childcare (diaper rash), often appearing in the phrase 'sich wund laufen'.
Metaphorically, it refers to emotional sensitivity, most famously in the idiom 'einen wunden Punkt treffen' (to hit a sore spot).
Learners must distinguish it from the noun 'Wunde' (wound) and the term 'Muskelkater' (muscle soreness), as 'wund' specifically targets surface-level irritation.

The German word wund is an evocative adjective (and sometimes used in older contexts or compounds as a root for nouns) that primarily describes a state of being sore, chafed, or raw. It is most frequently used to describe skin that has been irritated by friction, such as when your shoes rub against your heels during a long walk or when clothing causes a rash during exercise. Unlike a deep cut, which is typically referred to as eine Wunde (a wound), being wund implies a surface-level sensitivity where the skin is red, painful, and often missing its top layer.

Physical Context: In a physical sense, 'wund' is the go-to word for chafing. Athletes often talk about being 'wund' between the legs after a marathon, or a baby might be 'wund' in the diaper area (Windeldermatitis). It suggests a burning, stinging sensation that makes further movement uncomfortable.

Nach der langen Wanderung waren meine Fersen total wund.

Example: After the long hike, my heels were totally sore/chafed.

Beyond the physical, 'wund' carries a powerful metaphorical weight in German culture. It describes a state of emotional vulnerability or irritability. If someone is 'emotional wund,' they are in a state where even the slightest remark can cause them pain, much like how a physical sore reacts to the lightest touch. This leads to the very common expression einen wunden Punkt treffen (to hit a sore spot), which means to bring up a topic that someone is particularly sensitive about. In medical settings, you might hear doctors or nurses use the term in the context of Wundsein or Wundliegen (bedsores/decubitus). It is a word that conveys discomfort rather than life-threatening injury, but it demands attention and care. Understanding the nuance between the adjective 'wund' and the noun 'Wunde' is essential for B1 learners; while 'Wunde' is the physical injury (the hole or the cut), 'wund' is the condition of the surrounding or affected tissue being irritated.

Emotional Sensitivity: Metaphorically, 'wund' describes a soul or a mind that has been exhausted or hurt by repeated negative experiences. It is often used in literature to describe a character's internal state after a period of suffering.

Seine Seele war wund von all den Enttäuschungen.

Historical Usage: Historically, the word shares its roots with the English 'wound,' but in modern German, the adjective has specialized to mean 'chafed' or 'sore,' while the English 'wounded' usually translates more formally to 'verletzt'.

Das Kind hat einen wunden Po vom langen Tragen der nassen Windel.

In summary, use 'wund' when you want to describe that specific, stinging pain of skin or emotions being rubbed the wrong way. It is a word of high frequency in daily health care, sports, and deep emotional conversations.

Using wund correctly requires understanding its position in the sentence and the specific verbs it pairs with. Most commonly, it functions as a predicative adjective after verbs like sein (to be) or werden (to become). For example, Ich bin wund is a simple way to say 'I am sore/chafed.' However, German has a very specific and common construction using the reflexive verb sich etwas wund laufen/reiben/schreiben. This construction describes the action that caused the soreness.

The 'Sich Wund...' Construction: This is a resultative construction. You perform an action (walking, rubbing, writing) to the point where a body part becomes 'wund'. Example: 'Ich habe mir die Füße wund gelaufen' (I walked my feet sore).

Sie hat sich die Finger wund geschrieben, um den Aufsatz rechtzeitig fertigzustellen.

She wrote her fingers sore to finish the essay on time.

When used attributively (before a noun), 'wund' takes the usual endings. 'Ein wunder Punkt' (a sore spot) is a masculine nominative phrase. 'Die wunden Stellen' (the sore spots) is plural. It is important to remember that 'wund' is not usually used for internal muscle soreness—for that, Germans use Muskelkater. 'Wund' is strictly for skin or surface-level irritation.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. wund reiben (to rub sore) 2. wund liegen (to get bedsores) 3. wund beißen (to bite sore) 4. wund heilen (to heal from soreness)

Die enge Kleidung hat meine Haut wund gerieben.

In more poetic or elevated German, 'wund' can appear in compound adjectives like liebeswund (sore from love/heartbroken). This highlights the word's versatility in moving from a mundane physical complaint to a profound emotional state.

Metaphorical Use: When talking about politics or social issues, a journalist might write: 'Dies ist eine wunde Stelle in unserer Gesellschaft' (This is a sore spot in our society). Here, it implies a long-standing, unhealed problem.

Frag ihn nicht nach seiner Ex-Frau, das ist ein wunder Punkt bei ihm.

Using 'wund' in these various contexts will significantly improve your fluency, as it shows you understand both the literal and figurative layers of the language.

The word wund is ubiquitous in Germany, appearing in contexts ranging from the nursery to the marathon finish line. If you visit a German pharmacy (Apotheke), you will inevitably see products labeled Wund- und Heilsalbe. This is a staple in every German household's medicine cabinet, used for everything from minor scrapes to skin irritation.

At the Pharmacy: Pharmacists will ask: 'Ist die Stelle nur rot oder schon richtig wund?' (Is the area just red or already really sore/raw?). They are checking for the severity of the irritation.

Haben Sie eine Salbe für wunde Babyhaut?

Do you have an ointment for sore baby skin?

In the world of sports, especially long-distance running or cycling, 'wund' is a very common complaint. Athletes discuss 'Wundscheuern' (chafing) and how to prevent it with specialized creams or clothing. You might hear a runner say at the end of a race: 'Ich bin überall wund' (I'm sore everywhere). This usage is very practical and lacks any metaphorical weight. In daily conversation, the metaphorical 'wunder Punkt' is a high-frequency idiom. You will hear it in talk shows when a moderator asks a politician a difficult question, or in personal arguments between friends. It is a way of acknowledging that a topic is 'off-limits' or particularly painful.

Social Contexts: In social settings, mentioning a 'wunder Punkt' is often an apology or a warning. 'Entschuldige, ich wollte keinen wunden Punkt berühren' (Sorry, I didn't mean to touch a sore spot).

Das Thema Geld ist bei ihnen ein wunder Punkt.

You will also find 'wund' in literature and lyrics. German Romanticism often used the word to describe the 'wunde Seele' (sore soul) of a protagonist who is suffering from the world's harshness (Weltschmerz). In modern music, especially in the 'Neue Deutsche Poesie' or 'Indie' scenes, songwriters use 'wund' to describe the raw aftermath of a failed relationship.

In the Media: News headlines might use 'wund' to describe a nation's collective trauma or a city still 'wund' from a recent disaster, implying that the healing process is ongoing and the pain is still fresh.

Die Stadt ist noch immer wund von den Ereignissen der letzten Woche.

Finally, in medical care for the elderly, 'wundliegen' (decubitus) is a critical term. Nurses and caregivers use it constantly when discussing patient care and prevention strategies. Hearing 'wund' in a hospital setting usually triggers immediate preventative action.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with wund is confusing it with the noun Wunde (wound) or the verb verwunden (to wound/injure). While they share a root, their usage is grammatically distinct. You cannot say 'Ich habe ein wund' to mean 'I have a wound'; you must say 'Ich habe eine Wunde.' Conversely, you wouldn't say 'Meine Haut ist Wunde'; it must be 'Meine Haut ist wund.'

Mistake 1: Adjective vs. Noun: Confusing 'wund' (adjective) with 'Wunde' (noun). Use 'wund' to describe the state of the skin and 'Wunde' for the physical injury itself.

Falsch: Ich habe ein wund am Knie.
Richtig: Ich habe eine Wunde am Knie.

Another common error is using 'wund' to describe muscle soreness. If your muscles ache after lifting weights, 'wund' is the wrong word. You should use Muskelkater. Using 'wund' in this context will make it sound like your skin is chafed rather than your muscles being tired.

Mistake 2: Muscle Pain: Using 'wund' for 'sore muscles'. Correct: 'Ich habe Muskelkater'.

Falsch: Meine Beine sind wund vom Training.
Richtig: Ich habe Muskelkater in den Beinen.

Pronunciation can also be a pitfall. The 'u' in 'wund' is short, like the 'oo' in 'book' but shorter and more rounded [vʊnt]. If you lengthen the 'u' too much, it might sound like a different word. Also, remember that the 'd' at the end is pronounced like a 't' due to final-obstruent devoicing in German.

Mistake 3: Word Order in Reflexive Phrases: Learners often forget the correct cases in phrases like 'sich die Füße wund laufen'. The person is dative (mir), the body part is accusative (die Füße), and 'wund' is the result.

Falsch: Ich habe mich die Füße wund gelaufen.
Richtig: Ich habe mir die Füße wund gelaufen.

Finally, avoid overusing 'wund' for general pain. If you have a headache or a stomachache, 'wund' is never used. Stick to weh tun or Schmerzen haben. 'Wund' is a very specific type of pain—the stinging, raw pain of the surface. By avoiding these common traps, you will use 'wund' with the precision of a native speaker.

To truly master wund, you should understand how it compares to other words for pain and injury in German. The most immediate neighbor is verletzt (injured). While 'wund' describes a state of irritation, 'verletzt' is a broader term for any injury, from a broken bone to a psychological trauma.

wund vs. verletzt: 'Wund' is specific to skin chafing or raw emotional states. 'Verletzt' is the general term for being hurt or wounded.

Er ist bei dem Unfall schwer verletzt worden (not 'wund').

Another similar word is gereizt (irritated). In medical contexts, skin can be 'gereizt' before it becomes 'wund'. 'Gereizt' is also used for people who are cranky or irritable. If skin is 'gereizt,' it is red and itchy; if it is 'wund,' the top layer is actually damaged.

wund vs. offen: A 'wunde Stelle' can become an 'offene Stelle' (an open sore) if the irritation continues and the skin breaks further. 'Offen' implies that fluid or blood might be present.

Die Blase am Fuß ist jetzt offen.

In metaphorical contexts, you might use empfindlich (sensitive) or sensibel as alternatives. However, these lack the visceral imagery of 'wund'. To say someone is 'empfindlich' means they are easily offended; to say they are 'wund' suggests they have already been hurt and are still suffering from it.

wund vs. schmerzhaft: 'Schmerzhaft' (painful) describes the sensation, while 'wund' describes the physical state. A 'wunde Stelle' is almost always 'schmerzhaft'.

Das Berühren der wunden Haut ist sehr schmerzhaft.

Lastly, consider the word aufgeschürft (scraped). If you fall and scrape your knee, it is 'aufgeschürft'. This is a one-time event. 'Wund' usually implies a repetitive action (like rubbing) that led to the state. Knowing these distinctions allows you to choose the word that most accurately describes the situation, whether you are talking to a doctor or a friend.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

While 'wund' and 'wound' look identical, the German adjective has narrowed its meaning mostly to surface soreness and metaphorical pain, while the English 'wound' usually refers to deeper physical injuries.

Guide de prononciation

UK /vʊnt/

US /vʊnt/

The word is a single syllable, so the stress is on the only vowel.

Rime avec

Bund Hund Mund Rund Sund gesund Pfund Grund

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'w' like an English 'w' (it should be a 'v' sound).
Lengthening the 'u' sound (it must be short).
Pronouncing the final 'd' as a soft 'd' instead of a sharp 't'.
Mixing it up with 'Wunde' (two syllables).
Confusing it with the English word 'wand' (magic stick).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially in compound nouns.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of adjective declension and resultative verb patterns.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation is key, especially the short 'u' and final 't' sound.

Écoute 2/5

Common in medical and sports contexts; easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Haut Schmerz rot laufen Punkt

Apprends ensuite

Wunde verletzt entzündet Salbe Heilung

Avancé

Vergangenheitsbewältigung ontologisch Disparität Traumatisierung

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Declension

Ein wunder Punkt (masculine, nominative).

Reflexive Verbs with Dative and Accusative

Ich (nom) habe mir (dat) die Füße (acc) wund gelaufen.

Final Devoicing (Auslautverhärtung)

The 'd' in 'wund' sounds like a 't'.

Resultative Adjectives

Using 'wund' to describe the result of an action (laufen -> wund).

Compound Noun Formation

Wund + Salbe = Wundsalbe.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Meine Füße sind wund.

My feet are sore/chafed.

Simple predicative use of the adjective.

Die Haut ist rot und wund.

The skin is red and sore.

Two adjectives describing the noun 'Haut'.

Hast du eine Salbe für wundes Zahnfleisch?

Do you have an ointment for sore gums?

Attributive use with neuter noun 'Zahnfleisch' in accusative.

Ich bin wund vom Laufen.

I am sore from running.

'Vom' (von dem) indicates the cause.

Sein Knie ist ein bisschen wund.

His knee is a bit sore.

Adverb 'ein bisschen' modifying the adjective.

Die Schuhe machen meine Füße wund.

The shoes are making my feet sore.

Verb 'machen' used with an object and an adjective.

Ist dein Finger wund?

Is your finger sore?

Interrogative sentence.

Meine Lippen sind vom Wind ganz wund.

My lips are quite sore from the wind.

Use of 'ganz' as an intensifier.

Ich habe mir die Füße wund gelaufen.

I walked my feet sore.

Reflexive construction: sich (dat) etwas (acc) wund laufen.

Das Baby hat einen wunden Po.

The baby has a sore bottom.

Attributive use: masculine accusative ending -en.

Diese Creme hilft gegen wunde Stellen.

This cream helps against sore spots.

Plural accusative adjective ending -e.

Nach dem Reiten war ich ganz wund.

After riding, I was quite sore.

Temporal preposition 'nach' with dative.

Meine Nase ist vom Schnupfen wund.

My nose is sore from the cold/sniffles.

Cause indicated by 'vom'.

Reib dir nicht die Augen wund!

Don't rub your eyes sore!

Imperative with reflexive dative 'dir'.

Die Sattelstelle beim Pferd ist wund.

The saddle area on the horse is sore.

Specific noun 'Sattelstelle'.

Ich brauche ein Pflaster für die wunde Stelle.

I need a plaster for the sore spot.

Definite article with adjective in accusative.

Mit dieser Bemerkung hat sie einen wunden Punkt getroffen.

With that remark, she hit a sore spot.

Idiomatic expression.

Er hat sich den Hals wund geschrien.

He screamed his throat sore.

Reflexive resultative construction.

Das ist ein wunder Punkt in unserer Beziehung.

That is a sore spot in our relationship.

Metaphorical use.

Die Haut unter dem Gips ist total wund.

The skin under the cast is totally sore.

Prepositional phrase 'unter dem Gips'.

Ich wollte keinen wunden Punkt berühren.

I didn't want to touch a sore spot.

Infinitive construction with 'wollte'.

Nach der langen Radtour war sein Gesäß wund.

After the long bike tour, his buttocks were sore.

More formal term 'Gesäß'.

Die wunden Stellen müssen an der Luft heilen.

The sore spots must heal in the air.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

Sie hat sich die Hände bei der Gartenarbeit wund gearbeitet.

She worked her hands sore during gardening.

Reflexive resultative 'wund gearbeitet'.

Die Vernachlässigung der Infrastruktur ist ein wunder Punkt der Regierung.

The neglect of infrastructure is a sore point for the government.

Abstract political usage.

Er reagierte gereizt, als man seinen wunden Punkt ansprach.

He reacted irritably when his sore spot was mentioned.

Subordinate clause with 'als'.

Die Wundheilung wird durch die ständige Reibung verzögert.

Wound healing is delayed by the constant friction.

Compound noun 'Wundheilung'.

Sie fühlte sich innerlich wund und leer.

She felt sore and empty inside.

Adverbial use of 'innerlich' with 'wund'.

Wir müssen verhindern, dass sich der Patient wund liegt.

We must prevent the patient from getting bedsores.

Reflexive verb 'sich wund liegen'.

Die Kritik hinterließ eine wunde Stelle in seinem Selbstbewusstsein.

The criticism left a sore spot in his self-confidence.

Metaphorical 'wunde Stelle'.

Trotz der Salbe blieb die Haut an den Oberschenkeln wund.

Despite the ointment, the skin on the thighs remained sore.

Preposition 'trotz' with genitive.

Das Thema Erbe ist ein extrem wunder Punkt in dieser Familie.

The topic of inheritance is an extremely sore point in this family.

Intensifier 'extrem'.

Die gesellschaftlichen Spannungen legten die wunden Punkte des Systems offen.

The social tensions exposed the sore points of the system.

Idiom 'etwas offenlegen'.

Seine Worte bohrten sich wie Salz in eine wunde Stelle.

His words bored like salt into a sore spot.

Simile with 'wie Salz'.

Das traumatische Erlebnis hatte ihn seelisch wund gemacht.

The traumatic experience had made him emotionally sore.

Pluperfect tense with 'hatte gemacht'.

Die Dokumentation berührt die wunden Punkte der Kolonialgeschichte.

The documentary touches on the sore points of colonial history.

Formal academic/journalistic context.

Er war liebeswund und suchte Trost in der Einsamkeit.

He was heartsore/lovesick and sought comfort in solitude.

Compound adjective 'liebeswund'.

Die ständige Kritik hat ihn wund gescheuert.

The constant criticism has chafed him (emotionally).

Metaphorical use of 'wund scheuern'.

In der Debatte wurden viele wunde Punkte ungeschönt angesprochen.

In the debate, many sore points were addressed without sugarcoating.

Passive voice 'wurden angesprochen'.

Die Stadt trägt noch immer die wunden Male des Krieges.

The city still bears the sore marks/scars of the war.

Poetic use of 'wunde Male'.

Die ontologische Unsicherheit des modernen Menschen ist ein wunder Punkt der Existenzphilosophie.

The ontological uncertainty of modern humans is a sore point of existential philosophy.

Highly abstract/academic usage.

In seinem Spätwerk thematisiert der Autor die wunden Ränder der Zivilisation.

In his late work, the author addresses the sore edges of civilization.

Literary analysis context.

Die Verhandlung deckte die wunden Flanken der Verteidigungsstrategie auf.

The trial uncovered the sore flanks of the defense strategy.

Military metaphor 'wunde Flanken'.

Es ist eine wunde Ironie, dass ausgerechnet er dies kritisierte.

It is a sore irony that he of all people criticized this.

Abstract use with 'Ironie'.

Ihre Seele war so wund, dass jedes Wort wie ein Peitschenhieb wirkte.

Her soul was so sore that every word felt like a whip crack.

Consecutive clause with 'so... dass'.

Die sozioökonomische Disparität bleibt der wunde Punkt der nationalen Einheit.

The socio-economic disparity remains the sore point of national unity.

Political science terminology.

Man darf die wunden Stellen der Geschichte nicht einfach übertünchen.

One must not simply whitewash the sore spots of history.

Metaphorical verb 'übertünchen'.

Er rührte mit chirurgischer Präzision an ihren wunden Punkten.

He touched her sore spots with surgical precision.

Preposition 'an' with dative.

Synonymes

wundgerieben gereizt aufgeschürft empfindlich entzündet offen gekränkt verletzt

Antonymes

geheilt unversehrt unempfindlich glatt

Collocations courantes

wunder Punkt

wund laufen

wund reiben

wunder Po

wund liegen

wund heilen

wundes Zahnfleisch

wund schreien

wund küssen

wundes Herz

Phrases Courantes

einen wunden Punkt treffen

— To mention a topic that is particularly painful or sensitive for someone.

Mit der Frage nach seinem Vater hast du einen wunden Punkt getroffen.

sich die Füße wund laufen

— To walk so much that your feet become sore or blistered.

Wir sind den ganzen Tag durch Rom gelaufen und haben uns die Füße wund gelaufen.

wund sein

— To be sore or chafed (usually skin).

Nach dem Marathon war ich am ganzen Körper wund.

eine wunde Stelle

— A sore spot (physical or metaphorical).

Die wunde Stelle am Rücken muss eingecremt werden.

etwas wund reiben

— To rub something until it becomes sore.

Der Rucksack hat meine Schultern wund gerieben.

wund liegen

— To develop bedsores from lying in one position for too long.

Im Krankenhaus achten sie darauf, dass sich niemand wund liegt.

wundes Zahnfleisch haben

— To have sore or bleeding gums.

Ich habe wundes Zahnfleisch, ich sollte zum Zahnarzt gehen.

sich wund schreiben

— To write so much that the hand or fingers hurt.

In der Prüfung habe ich mir die Finger wund geschrieben.

den wunden Punkt berühren

— To touch upon a sensitive or painful subject.

Ich wollte nicht an deinem wunden Punkt rühren.

wund und offen

— Sore and raw/bleeding (describing a bad skin condition).

Seine Hände waren von der Kälte wund und offen.

Souvent confondu avec

wund vs Wunde

Wunde is a noun (a wound/cut). Wund is an adjective (sore/chafed).

wund vs Muskelkater

Muskelkater is for aching muscles after exercise. Wund is for skin irritation.

wund vs verletzt

Verletzt is the general term for being injured. Wund is specific to chafing or sensitivity.

Expressions idiomatiques

"den Finger in die Wunde legen"

— To specifically point out a problem or a painful truth. (Uses the noun 'Wunde' but is closely related to the concept of 'wund').

Der Journalist legte den Finger in die Wunde der Korruption.

journalistic/formal

"einen wunden Punkt treffen"

— To hit a sore spot; to mention something someone is sensitive about.

Deine Kritik hat einen wunden Punkt getroffen.

neutral

"sich die Hacken wund laufen"

— To go to a lot of trouble or walk a great distance to achieve something.

Ich habe mir die Hacken wund gelaufen, um dieses Geschenk zu finden.

informal

"wund wie ein Pavianhintern"

— Extremely sore/red (humorous/slang).

Nach der Radtour war ich wund wie ein Pavianhintern.

slang

"sich den Mund wund reden"

— To talk a lot without being listened to; to talk oneself hoarse.

Ich habe mir den Mund wund geredet, aber er hört einfach nicht zu.

informal

"ein wunder Punkt in der Geschichte"

— A painful or shameful part of history.

Die Sklaverei ist ein wunder Punkt in der Geschichte Amerikas.

formal

"wund an der Seele sein"

— To be deeply emotionally hurt or traumatized.

Nach dem Verlust war sie wund an der Seele.

literary

"sich die Finger wund tippen"

— To type a lot (modern variation of 'wund schreiben').

Ich habe mir die Finger wund getippt, um den Bericht fertigzustellen.

informal

"die wunde Flanke"

— The weak spot in an argument or a defense.

Seine mangelnde Erfahrung ist die wunde Flanke seiner Kandidatur.

journalistic

"wund und weh"

— A poetic way to describe great pain or sorrow.

Mir ist so wund und weh ums Herz.

archaic/poetic

Facile à confondre

wund vs wundern

Looks similar to the root of 'wund'.

Wundern means 'to wonder' or 'to be surprised'. It has nothing to do with being sore.

Ich wundere mich über das Wetter.

wund vs Wunder

Looks identical except for the 'er'.

Ein Wunder is 'a miracle'. 'Wund' is 'sore'. One brings joy, the other brings pain.

Es ist ein Wunder, dass er noch lebt.

wund vs Wand

Similar vowel sound in some dialects.

Die Wand is 'the wall'. 'Wund' is an adjective.

Das Bild hängt an der Wand.

wund vs Wind

Similar structure.

Der Wind is 'the wind'. Wind can make your skin 'wund', but they are different words.

Der Wind ist heute sehr stark.

wund vs Wunde

Root word.

Wunde is the noun (injury). Wund is the adjective (state of soreness).

Die Wunde blutet, aber die Haut drumherum ist nur wund.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] ist wund.

Mein Knie ist wund.

[Subject] hat einen wunden [Body Part].

Das Baby hat einen wunden Po.

Sich [dat] die [Body Part] wund [verb].

Ich habe mir die Füße wund gelaufen.

Einen wunden Punkt treffen.

Er hat einen wunden Punkt getroffen.

Wund von [Dative] sein.

Sie war wund von den vielen Tränen.

Etwas [acc] wund scheuern.

Die Kritik hat sein Ego wund gescheuert.

[Noun] ist ein wunder Punkt der [Genitive].

Arbeitslosigkeit ist ein wunder Punkt der Statistik.

An wunden Stellen rühren.

Die Analyse rührte an den wunden Stellen der Theorie.

Famille de mots

Noms

Wunde (wound)

Wundsein (soreness)

Wundstarrkrampf (tetanus)

Wundheilung (wound healing)

Verwundung (injury)

Verbes

verwunden (to wound/injure)

bewundern (False Friend - means to admire)

wundreiben (to rub sore)

wundliegen (to get bedsores)

Adjectifs

wund (sore)

verwundbar (vulnerable)

unverwundbar (invulnerable)

wundgelegen (chafed from lying down)

Apparenté

Pflaster (plaster/band-aid)

Salbe (ointment)

Reibung (friction)

Hautreizung (skin irritation)

Schmerz (pain)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High, especially in medical, sports, and emotional contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Ich habe ein wund am Bein. → Ich habe eine Wunde am Bein.
You used the adjective 'wund' as a noun. Use 'Wunde' for the noun.
Meine Muskeln sind wund vom Sport. → Ich habe Muskelkater vom Sport.
'Wund' is for skin, 'Muskelkater' is for muscles.
Ich habe mich die Füße wund gelaufen. → Ich habe mir die Füße wund gelaufen.
In this reflexive construction, the person must be in the dative case (mir).
Das ist ein wunde Punkt. → Das ist ein wunder Punkt.
Masculine nominative adjective ending after 'ein' is '-er'.
Mein Hals ist wund (meaning sore throat from a virus). → Ich habe Halsschmerzen.
'Wund' implies mechanical irritation, not a viral infection.

Astuces

Adjective Declension

Remember that 'wund' takes endings when it comes before a noun. 'Ein wunder Punkt' is different from 'Die Stelle ist wund'.

Metaphorical Mastery

Use 'wunder Punkt' to talk about sensitive political or personal issues. It sounds very natural.

Short Vowel

The 'u' in 'wund' is short. If you say it long, it might sound like 'wohnt' (lives), which is confusing.

Medical Context

In a pharmacy, use 'wund' to describe skin irritation. It helps the pharmacist choose the right 'Wundsalbe'.

Runner's Tip

If you run marathons, learn 'sich wund scheuern' to talk about chafing.

Baby Talk

'Ein wunder Po' is the standard term for diaper rash in German.

Hitting the Spot

The verb 'treffen' (to hit) is the best partner for 'wunden Punkt'.

Wund vs Muskelkater

Never use 'wund' for muscle pain. Always use 'Muskelkater' for that post-gym feeling.

English Cognate

Link 'wund' to 'wound' to remember it, but remember the German one is more about 'soreness'.

Caregiving

'Wundliegen' is a critical term in elderly care. It's often used in professional nursing.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Wund' as 'Wounded skin' that is 'Under' friction. W-U-N-D.

Association visuelle

Imagine a red heel rubbing against a stiff leather shoe. The stinging redness is 'wund'.

Word Web

Haut Reibung Schmerz Salbe Punkt Baby Laufen Rot

Défi

Try to use 'wunder Punkt' in a sentence about a historical event. Then, try to describe a physical activity that makes you 'wund'.

Origine du mot

From Middle High German 'wunt' and Old High German 'wunt'. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root '*wundaz'.

Sens originel : Originally meant 'wounded' or 'injured' in a general sense.

Germanic (cognate with English 'wound', Dutch 'gewond').

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'wunder Punkt' with people you don't know well, as it implies you are touching on a deep trauma or very sensitive issue.

English speakers often say 'I have a sore spot,' which is a direct equivalent to 'Ich habe einen wunden Punkt.' However, English uses 'chafed' for skin, where German uses 'wund'.

Heinrich Heine's poems often mention the 'wunde Herz' (sore heart). The term 'Wundarzt' was an old word for a surgeon before modern medicine. The phrase 'Wunde Punkte' is often used in German political talk shows like 'Anne Will' or 'Maybrit Illner'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports and Fitness

Ich bin wund am Oberschenkel.
Wundscheuern verhindern.
Die Kleidung reibt wund.
Sich die Füße wund laufen.

Childcare

Das Baby ist wund.
Ein wunder Po.
Wundschutzcreme auftragen.
Die Windel macht ihn wund.

Emotional/Relationship

Einen wunden Punkt treffen.
Seelisch wund sein.
Das ist ein wunder Punkt.
An einer wunden Stelle rühren.

Medical/Nursing

Wundliegen vermeiden.
Die Wundheilung fördern.
Wundes Zahnfleisch.
Wundsein der Haut.

Daily Life

Meine Lippen sind wund.
Die Nase ist wund vom Schnupfen.
Wundsalbe kaufen.
Ein wunder Hals.

Amorces de conversation

"Hast du dir auch schon mal die Füße bei einer Wanderung wund gelaufen?"

"Welche Salbe benutzt du normalerweise, wenn deine Haut wund ist?"

"Glaubst du, dass jeder Mensch einen wunden Punkt hat, über den er nicht sprechen möchte?"

"Wie geht man am besten damit um, wenn man im Gespräch einen wunden Punkt bei jemandem getroffen hat?"

"Ist das Thema Politik in deiner Familie ein wunder Punkt oder könnt ihr offen diskutieren?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du dir die Füße wund gelaufen hast. Was hast du dagegen getan?

Gibt es ein Thema in der Gesellschaft, das du als einen 'wunden Punkt' bezeichnen würdest? Warum?

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn jemand einen wunden Punkt bei dir trifft? Wie reagierst du darauf?

Schreibe über eine Zeit, in der du dich seelisch 'wund' gefühlt hast. Was hat dir beim Heilen geholfen?

Warum ist es wichtig, die wunden Punkte in der Geschichte eines Landes zu kennen und zu besprechen?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'wund' is only for surface-level soreness or chafing. For a broken arm, you use 'gebrochen' or 'verletzt'.

'Gereizt' means irritated (red/itchy). 'Wund' is a step further, where the skin is raw or missing its top layer. 'Gereizt' can also mean 'cranky' in a person.

Usually, you say 'Halsschmerzen' or 'einen rauen Hals'. You only use 'wund' (sich den Hals wund schreien) if the soreness comes from rubbing/straining the vocal cords.

A sunburn is usually called 'Sonnenbrand'. However, if the sunburned skin starts to peel and becomes raw, you could describe it as 'wund'.

Yes, it is extremely common in both spoken and written German to describe a sensitive topic.

In modern German, it is primarily an adjective. The noun form is 'die Wunde'. However, 'Wundsein' exists as a gerund-noun.

As an adjective, it doesn't conjugate like a verb, but it declines like an adjective (wunder, wunde, wundes, etc.).

It refers to getting bedsores (decubitus), which happens when a person lies in one position for too long.

It is neutral and can be used in any register, from medical reports to casual talk.

Yes, 'wund' [vʊnt] and 'Hund' [hʊnt] are perfect rhymes.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes