das  Fieber

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfiːbɐ/

🌡️ What does "das Fieber" mean?

Das Fieber primarily refers to a fever or high body temperature, which is usually the body's response to an infection or inflammation. It's a common symptom of illness.

• Medical meaning: An increase in core body temperature above the normal range (usually above 38°C or 100.4°F).
• Figurative meaning: It can also describe a state of intense excitement, nervous agitation, or passionate enthusiasm (e.g., Reisefieber - travel excitement, Sammelfieber - collecting craze).

🚨 Caution: High fever, especially in children, should be evaluated by a doctor!

🔬 Grammar of "das Fieber" under the microscope

"Fieber" is a neuter noun. The article is das. It is mostly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

Plural

The plural form "die Fieber" is rare and mainly used in medical terminology to refer to different types of fevers (e.g., verschiedene Fieber - different fevers associated with various diseases). In general language, people usually talk about "Fieberschübe" (fever episodes) or "Fieberphasen" (fever phases).

📝 Application Examples

1. Das Kind hat hohes Fieber. (The child has a high fever.)
2. Der Arzt misst das Fieber. (The doctor measures the fever.)
3. Trotz des Fiebers ging er zur Arbeit. (Despite the fever, he went to work.)
4. Mit dem Fieber sollte man im Bett bleiben. (With a fever, one should stay in bed.)

💡 How to use "das Fieber" correctly

"Das Fieber" is used in various contexts:

• In everyday medical context: Very common to describe the condition of elevated temperature.
  • "Ich glaube, ich habe Fieber." (I think I have a fever.)
  • "Das Fieber ist über Nacht gesunken." (The fever went down overnight.)
  • "Wir müssen das Fieber senken." (We need to reduce the fever.)
• In idiomatic expressions (often figurative):
  • Reisefieber haben: To be excited or anxious before a trip ('travel fever').
  • Lampenfieber haben: To have stage fright ('stage fever').
  • Im Fieber der Gefühle: In a state of high emotion ('in the fever of emotions').
  • Goldfieber: The rush or greed for gold during a gold rush ('gold fever').
  • Sammelfieber: A passionate collecting frenzy ('collecting fever').

⚠️ Don't confuse "das Fieber" (fever/excitement) with "die Fibel" (a primer book).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Fieber"

Remembering the article "das":

Think of a thermometer as a neutral object, a measuring device. DAS device measures DAS neutral symptom -> das Fieber. Or think: Fever is a general symptom, not specifically male or female, so it's the neutral 'das'.

Remembering the meaning "Fever":

It feels like **F**ire and makes you sh**iver** -> **Fieber**.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words for Fieber

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!):

• Die Fibel: A primer (beginner's reading book) or a fibula (brooch/clasp). Nothing to do with fever!
• Die Fiber: (rare, technical) fibre.

😂 A Little Joke

Arzt: "Hatten Sie schon mal Gelbfieber?"
Patient: "Nein, nur grünen Husten."

Doctor: "Have you ever had yellow fever?"
Patient: "No, only green cough."

📜 Poem about Fever

Die Stirne heiß, die Wangen rot,
Der Körper zittert in der Not.
Das Fieber steigt, die Kraft vergeht,
Ein heißer Wind durchs Zimmer weht.
Doch Ruh und Schlaf, ein kühler Trank,
Machen den Körper wieder gesund und stark.
Das Fieber flieht, die Qual vorbei,
Willkommen, neue Energie!

(Forehead hot, cheeks red bright,
The body trembles in its plight.
The fever climbs, the strength does fade,
A hot wind blows through room's shade.
But rest and sleep, a cooling drink,
Make the body healthy, strong, I think.
The fever flees, the pain is past,
Welcome, energy, at last!)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Feuer, doch ich mache heiß.
Ich bin kein Gast, doch komme ungefragt ins Haus.
Man misst mich oft, wenn jemand krank,
Ich bin ein Zeichen – gut oder bang?
Manchmal bin ich nur Erregung pur,
Vor Reise, Auftritt, auf der Goldspur.

Was bin ich?
(Lösung/Solution: Das Fieber / The Fever)

🤓 More about "das Fieber"

• Word Origin (Etymology): The German word "Fieber" comes from the Latin word febris, which also means "fever". It evolved through Old High German fiebar.
• Compound Words: Fieber is part of many compound nouns:
  • Fieberthermometer: fever thermometer
  • Fieberkrampf: febrile seizure (a convulsion associated with high fever, mostly in children)
  • Fiebersaft/Fieberzäpfchen: fever syrup / fever suppository (medication to reduce fever)
  • Fiebertraum: fever dream (a vivid, often bizarre dream experienced during a fever)
  • Reisefieber: travel excitement/anxiety
  • Lampenfieber: stage fright
  • Goldfieber: gold rush fever/greed