erkranken
fall ill
Krank werden.
Definition & meaning
The verb erkranken refers to the process of becoming ill or falling sick. It describes the transition from a state of health to a state of sickness.
- General usage: To fall ill or contract a disease. It is often used in a more formal or clinical context compared to krank werden.
- Specific usage: To develop a specific medical condition (e.g., an Grippe erkranken - to come down with the flu).
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- Part of speech: Verb (intransitive, weak).
- Conjugation: Regular (erkrankt, erkrankte, ist erkrankt).
- Usage: It usually requires the preposition an followed by the dative case to specify the disease or condition.
Word origin: The word is composed of the prefix er- and the root krank (sick). The prefix er- in this context indicates the inchoative aspect, meaning the beginning or the entry into a state (the state of being sick).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- krank werden (to become sick)
- sich zuziehen (to contract/catch, e.g., a cold)
- infiziert werden (to get infected)
- erkrankt sein (to be ill - state)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Viele Menschen erkranken im Winter an Grippe.verb
Many people fall ill with the flu in winter.
Er darf nicht schwer erkranken.verb
He must not fall seriously ill.
Meine Schwester ist während des Urlaubs erkrankt.verb
My sister fell ill during the vacation.
Wegen des verschmutzten Wassers erkrankten mehrere Kinder.verb
Several children fell ill because of the contaminated water.
Sie ist kurz vor der Prüfung erkrankt.verb
She fell ill shortly before the exam.
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