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A1 noun #2,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

Erkältung

Top 2,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas Erkältung em 30 segundos

Explicação Erkältung in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know how to say that you are sick. The word 'Erkältung' is perfect for this. You learn the phrase 'Ich habe eine Erkältung', which means 'I have a cold'. This is a very basic and essential sentence for everyday life. If you cannot go to your German class or to work, you can write an email or a message saying: 'Tut mir leid, ich habe eine Erkältung.' (I am sorry, I have a cold). You should also know that 'die Erkältung' is a feminine noun. In A1, you focus on simple statements about your health. You don't need to explain all your symptoms yet, just the general problem. Remember to use the verb 'haben' (to have) with it. For example: 'Er hat eine Erkältung' (He has a cold) or 'Wir haben eine Erkältung' (We have a cold). It is a very common word in winter, so you will hear it often. Just remember: Erkältung = cold (illness).

At the A2 level, your ability to describe an 'Erkältung' expands. You can now combine it with adjectives to describe how bad it is. For example, you can say 'Ich habe eine starke Erkältung' (I have a bad cold) or 'Ich habe eine leichte Erkältung' (I have a mild cold). You also learn to use the adjective form 'erkältet' (Ich bin erkältet = I am cold/sick). At this level, you can go to the pharmacy (Apotheke) and ask for help: 'Haben Sie etwas gegen eine Erkältung?' (Do you have something for a cold?). You can also list basic symptoms that come with the Erkältung, such as 'Ich habe Schnupfen und Husten' (I have a runny nose and a cough). You start to understand instructions from the doctor, like 'Sie müssen im Bett bleiben' (You must stay in bed). You can also use past tense to say 'Ich hatte letzte Woche eine Erkältung' (I had a cold last week).

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B1 level, you can discuss an 'Erkältung' in more detail, explaining causes and consequences. You learn the reflexive phrase 'sich eine Erkältung holen' (to catch a cold). For example: 'Ich habe mir am Wochenende eine Erkältung geholt, weil es so kalt war.' (I caught a cold on the weekend because it was so cold). You can explain your absence at work more professionally: 'Ich muss mich heute leider krankmelden, da ich eine Erkältung habe.' (Unfortunately, I have to call in sick today because I have a cold). You can also give advice to others using modal verbs or imperatives: 'Du solltest zum Arzt gehen, wenn die Erkältung nicht besser wird.' (You should go to the doctor if the cold doesn't get better). At B1, you can distinguish between an Erkältung and a Grippe (flu) and explain the difference to someone else. You also understand cultural habits, like drinking herbal tea to cure the cold.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B2 level, your vocabulary around 'Erkältung' becomes more nuanced and idiomatic. You can discuss prevention and the immune system. You might say: 'Um einer Erkältung vorzubeugen, nehme ich viel Vitamin C und stärke mein Immunsystem.' (To prevent a cold, I take a lot of vitamin C and strengthen my immune system). You can use more advanced adjectives like 'hartnäckig' (stubborn) or 'verschleppt' (prolonged/neglected). For example: 'Eine verschleppte Erkältung kann zu einer Lungenentzündung führen.' (A neglected cold can lead to pneumonia). You can participate in discussions about workplace health policies, such as whether people with a slight Erkältung should work from home to avoid infecting colleagues (Ansteckungsgefahr). You are comfortable reading articles in health magazines about the latest home remedies (Hausmittel) for an Erkältung and can summarize their main points accurately.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C1 level, you can use 'Erkältung' in complex medical, societal, and professional contexts. You understand the medical synonym 'grippaler Infekt' and can use it appropriately in formal settings. You can discuss the economic impact of the annual 'Erkältungswelle' (wave of colds) on businesses due to high rates of sick leave (Krankenstand). You can express yourself with high precision, using phrases like 'Die Symptome klingen allmählich ab' (The symptoms are gradually subsiding) or 'Ich fühle mich noch etwas angeschlagen von der Erkältung' (I still feel a bit battered from the cold). You can debate the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies versus traditional medicine in treating an Erkältung. Your language is fluent and spontaneous, allowing you to easily navigate a doctor's appointment in Germany, understanding complex diagnoses and treatment plans related to respiratory infections.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C2 level, you have native-like mastery of the word 'Erkältung' and its associated concepts. You can use it metaphorically or in highly specific literary contexts. You understand regional variations and colloquialisms related to catching a cold (e.g., 'Ich hab mir was eingefangen'). You can critically analyze scientific papers or public health reports discussing the epidemiology of the common cold viruses (Rhinoviren). You can write a persuasive essay on the cultural differences in handling an Erkältung between Germany and other countries, highlighting the German emphasis on 'Ausruhen' (resting) and 'Krankschreibung' (sick notes). You effortlessly use complex grammatical structures, such as 'Hätte ich mich wärmer angezogen, wäre mir diese lästige Erkältung erspart geblieben' (Had I dressed more warmly, I would have been spared this annoying cold). Your vocabulary is vast, precise, and completely natural.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

Erkältung em 30 segundos

A common viral illness affecting the nose and throat.
Symptoms include runny nose (Schnupfen) and cough (Husten).
Always use 'haben' (Ich habe eine Erkältung) to express having it.
Do not confuse it with 'Kälte' (cold weather) or 'Grippe' (flu).

The German noun Erkältung refers to a common cold, which is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It is one of the most frequent reasons people visit a doctor or stay home from work in Germany, especially during the colder months. Understanding this word is essential for everyday communication, as discussing health and minor ailments is a common topic of small talk and workplace updates. When you have an Erkältung, you typically experience symptoms such as a runny nose (Schnupfen), a cough (Husten), a sore throat (Halsschmerzen), and sometimes a mild fever (leichtes Fieber). It is important to distinguish an Erkältung from a more serious flu, which is called Grippe in German. While an Erkältung might make you feel unwell for a few days, a Grippe usually comes with sudden, severe symptoms and requires more recovery time.

Medical Context: A mild viral infection of the upper respiratory system, typically harmless but highly contagious.

Ich habe eine schlimme Erkältung und muss im Bett bleiben.

In German culture, dealing with an Erkältung often involves traditional home remedies (Hausmittel) such as drinking chamomile tea (Kamillentee), inhaling steam with essential oils, or resting in bed. Germans take minor illnesses quite seriously and generally prefer that you stay home rather than bringing your Erkältung to the office or school. This cultural attitude emphasizes community health and recovery.

Cultural Attitude: Staying home when sick is encouraged to prevent spreading the virus to colleagues and friends.

Wegen einer Erkältung kann er heute nicht zur Arbeit kommen.

The word itself comes from the verb erkälten, which literally means 'to make cold' or 'to catch a cold'. The prefix 'er-' often denotes a transition or the beginning of a state, while 'kalt' means cold. Thus, Erkältung is the state of having caught a cold. It is a feminine noun, so it takes the article die (die Erkältung) and its plural form adds an '-en' (die Erkältungen).

Grammar Note: As a feminine noun ending in -ung, it always takes 'die' in the nominative singular.

Die Erkältung dauert meistens eine Woche.

When speaking with a doctor, you might say 'Ich habe eine Erkältung' to describe your general condition before listing specific symptoms. The doctor might then give you an 'Krankschreibung' (a sick note) for your employer. This is a standard procedure in Germany, where health insurance covers your time off work.

Gegen diese Erkältung hilft nur viel Schlaf und heißer Tee.

Jeden Winter bekomme ich mindestens eine Erkältung.

Using the word Erkältung correctly involves knowing the right verbs and prepositions that accompany it. The most straightforward and common way to express that you have a cold is to use the verb haben (to have). You simply say, 'Ich habe eine Erkältung' (I have a cold). This is the standard phrasing you will use in almost any context, from talking to your friends to informing your boss about your absence.

Standard Usage: Use 'haben' + 'eine Erkältung' to state your condition clearly and simply.

Maria hat eine Erkältung und trinkt Tee.

Another very common way to express this idea is by using the reflexive verb phrase sich eine Erkältung holen (to catch a cold). This implies the action of acquiring the illness. For example, 'Ich habe mir eine Erkältung geholt' means 'I caught a cold'. Notice that 'holen' is used reflexively with the dative pronoun 'mir'.

Action Usage: Use 'sich (Dativ) eine Erkältung holen' to describe the process of catching the illness.

Zieh dich warm an, sonst holst du dir eine Erkältung.

When talking about the duration or severity of the cold, you can use adjectives like leicht (mild), schwer (severe), or hartnäckig (stubborn). For instance, 'eine leichte Erkältung' means a mild cold, while 'eine hartnäckige Erkältung' refers to a cold that just won't go away. These adjectives help provide more context about your health status.

Descriptive Usage: Combine with adjectives like leicht, schwer, or schlimm to indicate severity.

Er leidet an einer sehr hartnäckigen Erkältung.

If you want to talk about preventing a cold, you would use verbs like vorbeugen (to prevent) or phrases like sich vor einer Erkältung schützen (to protect oneself from a cold). For example, 'Vitamine helfen, einer Erkältung vorzubeugen' (Vitamins help prevent a cold). Notice that 'vorbeugen' takes the dative case (einer Erkältung).

Um einer Erkältung vorzubeugen, wasche ich oft meine Hände.

Meine Erkältung wird langsam besser.

The word Erkältung is ubiquitous in German-speaking countries, especially during the autumn and winter months. You will hear it in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from casual conversations among friends to formal interactions at the workplace or in a medical setting. In the workplace, it is the most common reason given for short-term absences. When a colleague is missing, you might hear someone say, 'Er ist heute nicht da, er hat eine Erkältung.' This is a socially acceptable and universally understood reason for not being productive or present.

Workplace Context: Frequently used when calling in sick or explaining a colleague's absence.

Der Chef fehlt heute wegen einer Erkältung.

You will also hear this word frequently in pharmacies (Apotheken) and doctor's offices (Arztpraxen). When you go to an Apotheke to buy over-the-counter medication, the pharmacist might ask about your symptoms. You would start by saying, 'Ich habe eine Erkältung,' and they will guide you to the right teas, lozenges, or nasal sprays. In Germany, pharmacists play a significant role in treating minor ailments like an Erkältung.

Medical Context: Used at the pharmacy or doctor's office to describe your general illness before detailing symptoms.

Haben Sie etwas gegen eine starke Erkältung?

In everyday social life, friends and family will use the word to express sympathy or to warn others. If you sneeze or cough, someone might ask, 'Hast du eine Erkältung?' (Do you have a cold?). It is also common for parents to warn their children to dress warmly to avoid catching one: 'Zieh deine Jacke an, sonst bekommst du eine Erkältung!' This reflects the traditional German belief that cold weather directly causes illness, even though scientifically it's viruses.

Family Context: Used by parents warning children to dress warmly during winter.

Ohne Schal bekommst du schnell eine Erkältung.

Im Herbst gibt es oft eine große Erkältungswelle.

Ich kuriere meine Erkältung zu Hause aus.

When learning the word Erkältung, beginners often make a few predictable mistakes, mostly stemming from direct translation from English or confusion with similar-sounding German words. The most common error is confusing Erkältung (the illness) with Kälte (the physical coldness of the weather). In English, you might say 'I don't like the cold', referring to the weather. If you translate this directly as 'Ich mag die Erkältung nicht', it sounds absurd to a German speaker, as it means 'I don't like the illness'. You must use Kälte for weather and Erkältung for the sickness.

Vocabulary Confusion: Mixing up 'Erkältung' (illness) and 'Kälte' (cold weather).

Falsch: Ich spüre die Erkältung draußen. Richtig: Ich habe eine Erkältung.

Another frequent mistake is using the wrong verb to express having a cold. In English, you say 'I am cold' when you feel chilly. If you translate this to 'Ich bin Erkältung', it is grammatically incorrect and nonsensical ('I am a cold illness'). Even saying 'Ich bin kalt' is problematic, as it usually means 'I am a cold-hearted person' or implies you are dead! To say you feel chilly, use 'Mir ist kalt'. To say you have the illness, use 'Ich habe eine Erkältung' or 'Ich bin erkältet'.

Verb Usage Error: Saying 'Ich bin Erkältung' instead of 'Ich habe eine Erkältung'.

Ich kann nicht schwimmen gehen, ich habe eine Erkältung.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the pronunciation of the umlaut 'ä' in Erkältung. It should sound somewhat like the 'e' in the English word 'pet' or 'bed'. Pronouncing it like an 'a' (Erkaltung) changes the sound and marks you clearly as a beginner. Practice the 'ä' sound to make your spoken German sound more natural and precise.

Pronunciation Error: Failing to pronounce the umlaut 'ä' correctly, making it sound like an 'a'.

Die Erkältung zwingt mich ins Bett.

Trotz der Erkältung ging er spazieren.

Eine verschleppte Erkältung kann gefährlich werden.

When discussing illnesses in German, there are several words related to Erkältung that you should know to describe your symptoms accurately. The most important distinction to make is between an Erkältung (a common cold) and a Grippe (the flu). While an Erkältung develops gradually and consists of milder symptoms like a runny nose and a slight cough, a Grippe hits suddenly with high fever, severe body aches, and extreme fatigue. Using these terms interchangeably in German is common in casual speech (people often say 'Ich habe Grippe' when they just have a bad cold), but medically, they are very different.

Grippe (Flu): A much more severe viral infection, influenza, causing high fever and body aches.

Das ist keine einfache Erkältung, das ist eine echte Grippe.

Another related term is der grippale Infekt. This is essentially the medical term for a severe cold. Doctors often use this term instead of Erkältung to sound more professional, but it means the same thing: a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that is not the true influenza virus. If your doctor diagnoses you with a 'grippaler Infekt', don't panic; it's just a bad cold.

Grippaler Infekt: The formal, medical term for a severe common cold, often confused with the flu.

Der Arzt diagnostizierte einen grippalen Infekt, also eine starke Erkältung.

You will also frequently hear the specific symptoms used as standalone illnesses. For example, der Schnupfen means a runny or blocked nose. You can say 'Ich habe Schnupfen' if that is your only symptom. Similarly, der Husten means a cough. An Erkältung is usually a combination of Schnupfen, Husten, and perhaps Halsschmerzen (sore throat).

Schnupfen: A runny nose, the most common symptom of a cold.

Meine Erkältung begann mit einem leichten Schnupfen.

Zu der Erkältung kam noch ein schlimmer Husten hinzu.

Er hat keine Erkältung, sondern nur eine Allergie.

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Using the verb 'haben' with illnesses.

Reflexive verbs in the dative case (sich eine Erkältung holen).

Feminine nouns ending in -ung.

Prepositions with illnesses (wegen, gegen).

Adjective endings (eine starke Erkältung).

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

Ich habe eine Erkältung.

I have a cold.

Uses the verb 'haben' with the indefinite article 'eine'.

Er hat eine Erkältung.

He has a cold.

Third person singular of 'haben'.

Hast du eine Erkältung?

Do you have a cold?

Question structure with verb at the beginning.

Die Erkältung ist schlimm.

The cold is bad.

Using the definite article 'die' for a feminine noun.

Wir haben eine Erkältung.

We have a cold.

First person plural.

Sie hat keine Erkältung.

She does not have a cold.

Using 'keine' to negate a noun with an indefinite article.

Ist das eine Erkältung?

Is that a cold?

Simple identification question.

Meine Erkältung ist weg.

My cold is gone.

Using the possessive pronoun 'meine'.

Ich bin krank, ich habe eine starke Erkältung.

I am sick, I have a bad cold.

Adding the adjective 'starke' (strong/bad).

Gegen die Erkältung trinke ich viel Tee.

For the cold, I drink a lot of tea.

Using the preposition 'gegen' (against/for) with accusative.

Ich hatte letzte Woche eine Erkältung.

I had a cold last week.

Using the Präteritum (simple past) of 'haben'.

Haben Sie Medikamente gegen eine Erkältung?

Do you have medicine for a cold?

Formal question at a pharmacy.

Wegen der Erkältung bleibe ich im Bett.

Because of the cold, I am staying in bed.

Using 'wegen' with the genitive/dative case.

Die Erkältung dauert schon drei Tage.

The cold has already lasted three days.

Using 'dauern' to express duration.

Mit einer Erkältung darf man nicht arbeiten.

With a cold, one is not allowed to work.

Using 'mit' + dative (einer).

Meine Erkältung wird langsam besser.

My cold is slowly getting better.

Using 'werden' to express a change in state.

Ich habe mir am Wochenende eine Erkältung geholt.

I caught a cold on the weekend.

Using the reflexive 'sich (Dativ) etwas holen'.

Um der Erkältung vorzubeugen, esse ich viel Obst.

To prevent the cold, I eat a lot of fruit.

Using 'um ... zu' infinitive clause and 'vorbeugen' + Dativ.

Wenn du eine Erkältung hast, solltest du dich ausruhen.

If you have a cold, you should rest.

Conditional clause with 'wenn' and modal verb 'solltest'.

Er fehlt heute auf der Arbeit wegen einer Erkältung.

He is absent from work today due to a cold.

Using 'fehlen' for absence and 'wegen' + Genitiv/Dativ.

Trotz seiner Erkältung ist er zum Training gegangen.

Despite his cold, he went to practice.

Using the preposition 'trotz' + Genitiv.

Eine Erkältung wird durch Viren verursacht, nicht durch Kälte.

A cold is caused by viruses, not by cold weather.

Passive voice with 'wird ... verursacht'.

Ich hoffe, dass meine Erkältung bald verschwindet.

I hope that my cold disappears soon.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Gute Besserung für deine Erkältung!

Get well soon from your cold!

Common well-wishing phrase.

Eine verschleppte Erkältung kann ernsthafte gesundheitliche Folgen haben.

A neglected cold can have serious health consequences.

Using the participle 'verschleppte' as an adjective.

In der kalten Jahreszeit grassiert oft eine heftige Erkältungswelle.

In the cold season, a severe wave of colds often goes around.

Advanced vocabulary: 'grassieren', 'Erkältungswelle'.

Ich fühle mich noch etwas angeschlagen von der Erkältung letzte Woche.

I still feel a bit battered from the cold last week.

Using the adjective 'angeschlagen'.

Es ist ratsam, bei den ersten Anzeichen einer Erkältung zu Hause zu bleiben.

It is advisable to stay home at the first signs of a cold.

Using 'Es ist ratsam' + zu-infinitive.

Viele schwören auf alte Hausmittel, um eine Erkältung auszukurieren.

Many swear by old home remedies to cure a cold.

Using 'schwören auf' and 'auskurieren'.

Die Symptome der Erkältung klingen glücklicherweise allmählich ab.

Fortunately, the symptoms of the cold are gradually subsiding.

Using the separable verb 'abklingen'.

Er hat sich krankgemeldet, da ihn eine hartnäckige Erkältung erwischt hat.

He called in sick because a stubborn cold caught him.

Using 'jemanden erwischen' colloquially for getting sick.

Die ständige Zugluft im Büro ist schuld an meiner Erkältung.

The constant draft in the office is to blame for my cold.

Using 'schuld sein an' + Dativ.

Der Arzt diagnostizierte einen grippalen Infekt, was im Grunde einer schweren Erkältung entspricht.

The doctor diagnosed a flu-like infection, which basically corresponds to a severe cold.

Using complex sentence structure and medical terminology.

Aufgrund der hohen Ansteckungsgefahr bei einer Erkältung wird Homeoffice empfohlen.

Due to the high risk of infection with a cold, working from home is recommended.

Nominal style with 'Aufgrund' + Genitiv.

Die volkswirtschaftlichen Schäden durch arbeitsbedingte Ausfälle wegen Erkältungen sind immens.

The economic damage caused by work absences due to colds is immense.

Highly formal academic/business vocabulary.

Es bedarf mehr als nur eines heißen Tees, um diese tiefsitzende Erkältung zu vertreiben.

It takes more than just a hot tea to drive away this deep-seated cold.

Using 'Es bedarf' + Genitiv.

Er bagatellisierte seine Erkältung, bis sie sich zu einer Bronchitis auswuchs.

He downplayed his cold until it developed into bronchitis.

Using advanced verbs 'bagatellisieren' and 'sich auswachsen zu'.

Präventivmaßnahmen gegen Erkältungen umfassen regelmäßiges Lüften und Handhygiene.

Preventive measures against colds include regular ventilation and hand hygiene.

Formal vocabulary: 'Präventivmaßnahmen', 'umfassen'.

Die Inkubationszeit einer gewöhnlichen Erkältung beträgt in der Regel zwei bis drei Tage.

The incubation period of a common cold is usually two to three days.

Medical terminology: 'Inkubationszeit'.

Trotz der grassierenden Erkältungswelle blieb die Belegschaft weitgehend verschont.

Despite the rampant wave of colds, the workforce remained largely spared.

Using 'verschont bleiben' and 'grassierend'.

Hätte er die ersten Anzeichen nicht ignoriert, wäre ihm diese langwierige Erkältung erspart geblieben.

Had he not ignored the first signs, he would have been spared this protracted cold.

Konjunktiv II past perfect in a conditional clause without 'wenn'.

Die mediale Panikmache verwandelte jede banale Erkältung in eine vermeintliche Lebensgefahr.

The media scaremongering turned every banal cold into a perceived mortal danger.

Sophisticated vocabulary and critique.

In der Literatur wird die Erkältung oft als Metapher für eine innere, seelische Erstarrung herangezogen.

In literature, the cold is often used as a metaphor for an inner, spiritual paralysis.

Academic literary analysis style.

Das stoische Ertragen einer Erkältung gilt in manchen Kreisen fälschlicherweise als Zeichen von Stärke.

The stoic endurance of a cold is falsely considered a sign of strength in some circles.

Complex noun phrases and passive voice equivalent ('gilt als').

Die Pathogenese der Erkältung ist zwar gut erforscht, ein universelles Heilmittel bleibt jedoch ein frommer Wunsch.

Although the pathogenesis of the cold is well researched, a universal cure remains a pipe dream.

Scientific terminology and idiomatic expression ('frommer Wunsch').

Er laboriert nun schon seit Wochen an einer Erkältung, die ihm jegliche Vitalität raubt.

He has been suffering from a cold for weeks now, which robs him of all vitality.

Using 'laborieren an' (to suffer from/struggle with).

Die landläufige Meinung, Kälte allein verursache eine Erkältung, ist ein hartnäckiger medizinischer Mythos.

The popular belief that cold alone causes a cold is a persistent medical myth.

Using Konjunktiv I ('verursache') for indirect speech/belief.

Selbst die trivialste Erkältung zwingt den ansonsten unermüdlichen Manager in die Knie.

Even the most trivial cold brings the otherwise tireless manager to his knees.

Idiomatic expression 'in die Knie zwingen'.

Colocações comuns

eine leichte Erkältung

eine schwere Erkältung

eine hartnäckige Erkältung

sich eine Erkältung holen

eine Erkältung auskurieren

einer Erkältung vorbeugen

Mittel gegen Erkältung

die Erkältung geht um

eine Erkältung verschleppen

erste Anzeichen einer Erkältung

Frases Comuns

Ich habe eine Erkältung.

Ich bin erkältet.

Mich hat eine Erkältung erwischt.

Ich habe mir eine Erkältung eingefangen.

Gute Besserung für deine Erkältung!

Die Erkältung ist im Anflug.

Ich liege mit einer Erkältung im Bett.

Ich melde mich wegen einer Erkältung krank.

Das ist nur eine leichte Erkältung.

Die Erkältungswelle rollt an.

Frequentemente confundido com

Erkältung vs Kälte (cold weather)

Erkältung vs Grippe (influenza)

Erkältung vs Krankheit (general illness)

Expressões idiomáticas

"sich den Tod holen (exaggerated for catching a bad cold)"

"auf dem Zahnfleisch kriechen (feeling exhausted from a cold)"

"die Nase voll haben (literally having a full nose, but idiomatically means being fed up)"

"krank feiern (calling in sick when not actually sick)"

"das Bett hüten (to stay in bed due to illness)"

"wieder auf dem Damm sein (to be recovered)"

"es hat mich erwischt (it caught me - meaning I got sick)"

"sich gesundschlafen (to sleep oneself healthy)"

"ein Hausmittelchen anwenden (to use a home remedy)"

"kränkeln (to be slightly sick over a period)"

Fácil de confundir

Erkältung vs

Padrões de frases

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

formality

Neutral. Can be used in both highly formal and very informal situations.

semantic nuance

Implies a mild to moderate illness. If someone is hospitalized, it is not just an Erkältung.

regional variants

In Austria, 'Verkühlung' is often used instead of 'Erkältung'.

Erros comuns

Saying 'Ich bin Erkältung' instead of 'Ich habe eine Erkältung'.
Translating 'I am cold' (temperature) as 'Ich habe eine Erkältung'.
Confusing 'Erkältung' (cold) with 'Grippe' (flu).
Forgetting the umlaut and writing 'Erkaltung'.
Using the wrong article (der/das Erkältung instead of die Erkältung).

Dicas

Always Feminine

Remember that words ending in '-ung' are always feminine. It is 'die Erkältung', 'eine Erkältung', 'der Erkältung' (Dativ/Genitiv).

Haben vs. Sein

You HAVE a cold (Ich habe eine Erkältung). You ARE cold-sick (Ich bin erkältet). Don't mix them up!

The 'ä' Sound

Practice the 'ä' sound. It is not an 'a'. It sounds like the 'e' in the English word 'let'. Er-kell-tung.

Stay Home!

In Germany, do not go to the office if you have a bad Erkältung. Your colleagues will not appreciate you spreading germs.

Wegen + Genitive

In formal writing, use 'wegen' with the genitive case: 'Wegen einer starken Erkältung bleibe ich zu Hause.'

Apotheke vs. Drogerie

You can buy mild teas and vitamins for a cold in a Drogerie (like dm or Rossmann), but actual medicine requires an Apotheke.

Mich hat's erwischt

Use the phrase 'Mich hat's erwischt' (It caught me) to sound like a native speaker when you get a cold.

Capitalization

As a noun, Erkältung must always be capitalized, no matter where it is in the sentence.

Reflexive Pronouns

When using 'sich eine Erkältung holen', remember the reflexive pronoun is in the dative case: 'Ich hole MIR eine Erkältung'.

Zugluft

Germans fear 'Zugluft' (drafts). If you open a window, someone might complain they will get an Erkältung.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine an 'ER' (Emergency Room) where it is very 'KALT' (cold) because everyone has an 'Erkältung'.

Origem da palavra

From Middle High German 'erkelten', meaning to make cold or to cool down.

Contexto cultural

There is a strong cultural belief that 'Zugluft' (drafts) and cold weather directly cause an Erkältung, hence the obsession with scarves (Schals) and proper ventilation (Lüften).

Germans love 'Hausmittel' (home remedies) like Kamillentee (chamomile tea) and Wadenwickel (calf wraps) for fever.

Presenteeism (working while sick) is generally frowned upon. If you have an Erkältung, you are expected to stay home.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"Du siehst blass aus, hast du eine Erkältung?"

"Was ist dein bestes Hausmittel gegen eine Erkältung?"

"Gibt es momentan eine Erkältungswelle im Büro?"

"Wie lange dauert deine Erkältung schon?"

"Warst du wegen der Erkältung schon beim Arzt?"

Temas para diário

Describe the last time you had a bad Erkältung. What did you do to get better?

Write an email to your German boss explaining that you have an Erkältung and cannot come to work.

What are the traditional remedies for an Erkältung in your home country compared to Germany?

Write a dialogue between a pharmacist and a customer who has an Erkältung.

Do you think people should stay home for every minor Erkältung? Why or why not?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

To say you feel cold because of the temperature, say 'Mir ist kalt'. To say you have the illness, say 'Ich habe eine Erkältung' or 'Ich bin erkältet'. Never say 'Ich bin kalt' or 'Ich bin Erkältung'.

It is feminine. All German nouns ending in the suffix '-ung' are feminine. Therefore, it is 'die Erkältung'.

An Erkältung is a common cold with mild symptoms like a runny nose and cough. A Grippe is the flu (influenza), which is much more severe, comes on suddenly, and usually involves a high fever and body aches.

The most common way is to use the reflexive phrase 'sich eine Erkältung holen'. For example: 'Ich habe mir eine Erkältung geholt.' You can also say 'sich erkälten' (Ich habe mich erkältet).

No. An Erkältung strictly refers to a respiratory infection (nose, throat, lungs). For a stomach bug, you would say 'Magen-Darm-Infekt' or 'Magenverstimmung'.

Use 'gegen' (against). For example: 'Ich brauche ein Medikament gegen die Erkältung.' It takes the accusative case.

You can write or say: 'Ich muss mich heute leider krankmelden, da ich eine Erkältung habe.' (Unfortunately, I have to call in sick today because I have a cold).

The plural is 'die Erkältungen'. You just add an '-en' to the end. For example: 'Im Winter gibt es viele Erkältungen.'

Yes, it is very common, primarily because you need a 'Krankschreibung' (sick note) for your employer if you are sick for more than three days (sometimes even from the first day, depending on the contract).

Germans often drink Kamillentee (chamomile tea) or Fencheltee (fennel tea), inhale steam with salt or essential oils, and use Wadenwickel (wet towels wrapped around the calves) to reduce fever.

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