das  Erbrechen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈbʁɛçn̩/

🤢 What does "das Erbrechen" mean?

Das Erbrechen refers to the act of erbrechen, meaning the reflexive or voluntary expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth (also known as vomit or emesis in medical terms). It's a noun derived from the verb erbrechen (a nominalization).

It can refer to both the act of vomiting itself and the vomit (the ejected stomach contents), although the first meaning is more common.

It always uses the article "das" (neuter).

• Meaning 1: The act of throwing up.
• Meaning 2: The result of throwing up (the ejecta).

🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with the verb erbrechen (e.g., "Ich muss erbrechen." - I have to vomit.) or the verb aufbrechen (e.g., "eine Tür aufbrechen" - to break open a door).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Erbrechen"

"Das Erbrechen" is a nominalized verb (from erbrechen) and is therefore neuter (sächlich). It is generally used only in the singular, as it describes a process or an uncountable state. The plural ("die Erbrechen") is very uncommon and theoretical.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - Uncommon

The plural form is normally not used.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nach dem verdorbenen Essen kam es zum Erbrechen.
   (After the spoiled food, vomiting occurred.)
2. Die Ursache des Erbrechens war eine Lebensmittelvergiftung.
   (The cause of the vomiting was food poisoning.)
3. Mit starkem Erbrechen ist nicht zu spaßen.
   (Severe vomiting is not a joking matter.)
4. Der Arzt versuchte, das Erbrechen zu stoppen.
   (The doctor tried to stop the vomiting.)

🗣️ How to use "das Erbrechen"?

"Das Erbrechen" is primarily used in a medical context or in more formal descriptions of nausea and illness. It is a neutral term.

• Medical Context: Doctors and medical staff frequently use this term (e.g., "postoperatives Erbrechen" - postoperative vomiting, "Erbrechen von Blut" - vomiting of blood).
• Everyday Language (rather formal): It can also be used in everyday life when discussing the act, but more colloquial terms like "das Übergeben" or the verb forms "sich übergeben" / "kotzen" (very colloquial/vulgar) are often preferred.
• Distinction from Nausea: "Das Erbrechen" is the act itself, whereas die Übelkeit (nausea) is the feeling that often precedes or accompanies it.

Example of distinction: "Mir ist übel, aber bisher kam es noch nicht zum Erbrechen." (I feel nauseous, but I haven't vomited yet.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Erbrechen"

Article Mnemonic: Many nouns derived from verbs describing the process itself (nominalizations ending in -en) are neuter (das). Think of: das Lesen (the reading), das Schreiben (the writing), das Essen (the eating/food)... and thus also das Erbrechen. It's 'the act of' doing the verb.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something forcefully 'breaking' out of the stomach (er-brechen). This unpleasant 'breaking forth' is das Erbrechen (vomiting).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Die Übelkeit: Nausea, the feeling of being sick to your stomach.
• Das Brechen: Can mean the breaking of objects, but also sometimes used as a short form for 'Erbrechen' (e.g., "zum Brechen reizen" - to nauseate).
• Das Erbrochene: Refers specifically to the vomit itself (the substance), not the act.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Magen nach der Achterbahnfahrt gekündigt?
Er meinte, der Job bringt ihn ständig zum Erbrechen! 🎢🤢

Translation:
Why did the stomach quit after the roller coaster ride?
It said the job constantly made it vomit!

📜 Poem about the Word

Der Magen rebelliert, ein schlimmes Zeichen,
Nichts will er drin behalten, muss entweichen.
Ein Druck, ein Würgen, unaufhaltsam fast,
Das Erbrechen kommt, eine schwere Last.
Danach oft Ruhe, doch der Schreck bleibt groß,
Man hofft auf Linderung, auf Trost und Los.

Translation:
The stomach rebels, a bad sign,
It wants to keep nothing inside, must escape.
A pressure, a retching, almost unstoppable,
The vomiting comes, a heavy burden.
Afterwards often calm, but the shock remains great,
One hopes for relief, for comfort and release.

🧩 Riddle

Ich komme oft nach schlechtem Essen,
Manchmal auch, wenn man zu viel gemessen.
Der Mageninhalt kehrt zurück ans Licht,
Angenehm ist dieses Schauspiel nicht.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I often come after bad food,
Sometimes too, when one has measured too much (eaten/drunk too much).
The stomach's contents return to the light,
This spectacle is not pleasant.

What am I?
(Solution: Das Erbrechen - Vomiting)

💡 Other Information

Word Formation:

• "Das Erbrechen" is a nominalization (substantivierung) of the verb erbrechen.
• The prefix er- can indicate completion or emergence here (similar to erblühen - to bloom).
• The root word is brechen (to break).

Cultural Note: In many cultures, discussing vomiting (Erbrechen) can be taboo, despite it being a normal bodily function (though usually in response to illness or poisoning).