das  Krankenhaus

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁaŋkn̩ˌhaʊs/

🏥 What does "Krankenhaus" mean?

The word das Krankenhaus refers to an institution for the medical treatment and care of sick or injured people over a longer period. It's a place where *doctors (Ärzte)*, *nursing staff (Pflegepersonal)*, and other *medical professionals (medizinische Fachkräfte)* work to *diagnose (Diagnosen stellen)*, *provide therapies (Therapien durchführen)*, and care for patients on an *inpatient (stationär)* or *outpatient (ambulant)* basis. In simple terms, it means hospital.

The word is a compound of "kranken" (referring to *sick people*) and "Haus" (*house* or *building*). It is always neuter, so the article is always das.

There are no different meanings based on the article, as only "das" is possible.

🧐 Grammar & Declension: Das Krankenhaus

"Krankenhaus" is a neuter noun. The article is das.

Example Sentences

• Er musste nach dem Unfall ins Krankenhaus gebracht werden.
  (He had to be taken to the hospital after the accident.)
• Die Versorgung in diesem Krankenhaus ist ausgezeichnet.
  (The care in this hospital is excellent.)
• Wir besuchen Oma morgen im Krankenhaus.
  (We are visiting Grandma in the hospital tomorrow.)
• Viele neue Krankenhäuser wurden in der Region gebaut.
  (Many new hospitals were built in the region.)
• Die Verwaltung des Krankenhauses hat neue Richtlinien erlassen.
  (The hospital administration has issued new guidelines.)

💡 How to use "Krankenhaus"?

"Krankenhaus" is used in everyday language for any type of *hospital*. Here are some typical contexts:

• Place of treatment: You go ins Krankenhaus (accusative case, indicating movement towards) or you are im Krankenhaus (dative case, indicating location). Example: "Sie liegt seit gestern im Krankenhaus." (She has been in the hospital since yesterday.)
• Workplace: Many people work im Krankenhaus (*in the hospital*), such as *doctors (Ärzte)*, *nurses (Pfleger/Schwestern)*, etc. Example: "Mein Bruder arbeitet als Chirurg in einem großen Krankenhaus." (My brother works as a surgeon in a large hospital.)
• Institution: It can also refer to the institution itself. Example: "Das Krankenhaus hat einen sehr guten Ruf." (The hospital has a very good reputation.)

Distinction from other terms:

• Klinik/Klinikum: Often used synonymously with Krankenhaus, sometimes more specialized (e.g., *Herzklinik* - heart clinic, *Uniklinikum* - university hospital).
• Praxis (Arztpraxis): A place for *outpatient treatment* by a registered doctor, no overnight stays like in a Krankenhaus.
• Spital: Synonym for Krankenhaus used mainly in *Switzerland* and *Austria*.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic (das)

Remember: A Haus (*house*) is neuter in German (das Haus). A house specifically for Kranke (*sick people*) logically stays neuter: das Krankenhaus. It ends in '-haus', think 'das Haus'.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine you feel very krank 😩 (sounds like *crank*y and *sick*) and need help. You go to a special Haus 🏠 (*house*) for the *krank* – a Krankenhaus (*hospital*)!

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

Synonyms (Similar Meaning)

• die Klinik / das Klinikum: Often synonymous, sometimes implying a more specialized or larger facility (like a *university hospital* - Uniklinikum).
• das Spital: Primarily used in Switzerland and Austria.
• die Heilanstalt: A somewhat dated term, often for specialized facilities (e.g., *Lungenheilanstalt* - lung sanatorium).

Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)

There isn't a direct antonym for "Krankenhaus". One might associate places symbolizing health or the opposite of illness:

• Zuhause (*Home* - as a place where one is healthy)
• Fitnessstudio / Sportplatz (*Gym / Sports field* - places for health promotion)

Related Terms (Be careful not to confuse!)

• die Arztpraxis: Doctor's office for *outpatient treatment*, no overnight stays.
• das Pflegeheim / Seniorenheim: *Nursing home / retirement home* for long-term care of the elderly or those needing care, not primarily for acute illnesses.
• das Hospiz: *Hospice*, facility for caring for terminally ill people at the end of life.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten im Krankenhaus: "Na, wie fühlen Sie sich heute Morgen?" Antwortet der Patient: "Viel besser, Herr Doktor! Nur das Atmen fällt mir noch schwer." Sagt der Arzt: "Keine Sorge, das stellen wir auch noch ab!"

English Translation: The doctor asks the patient in the hospital: "Well, how are you feeling this morning?" The patient replies: "Much better, Doctor! Only breathing is still difficult for me." The doctor says: "Don't worry, we'll stop that too!"

📜 Poem about the Krankenhaus

German:
Im weißen Haus, das Kranke heilt,
wo Sorge oft und Hoffnung weilt.
Das Krankenhaus, ein ernster Ort,
trägt manchen schnell zur Heilung fort.

Mit Nadel, Tupfer, gutem Rat,
steht Personal stets früh und spat.
Ein Haus für alle, groß und klein,
hier soll bald jeder wieder fit sein.

English Translation:
In the white house, where sick are healed,
Where worry often and hope are revealed.
The hospital (das Krankenhaus), a serious place,
Carries many quickly to health's embrace.

With needle, swab, and good advice,
Staff stands ready, day and night, precise.
A house for everyone, big and small,
Soon everyone should be fit and standing tall.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe Betten, doch schlafe nicht.
Ich habe viele Ärzte, doch bin selbst nicht krank.
Man kommt oft unfreiwillig und geht hoffentlich gesund.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, mein Zweck ist bekannt.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I have beds, but I don't sleep.
I have many doctors, but I'm not sick myself.
People often arrive unwillingly and hopefully leave healthy.
My article is neuter, my purpose is known.

What am I?
(Solution: das Krankenhaus / the hospital)

🧩 Other Information: Das Krankenhaus in Detail

Word Composition

"Krankenhaus" is a compound noun:

• Kranken: Refers to "die Kranken" (*the sick people*). It's an old genitive plural form or an adjectival derivative.
• Haus: Means "house" or "building" / "institution".

The gender of the compound noun is determined by the last word: "das Haus" -> "das Krankenhaus". So it's always neuter.

Related Words

• Krankenwagen: Ambulance (literally *sick-people-wagon*)
• Krankenschwester / Krankenpfleger: Nurse (female / male) (literally *sick-sister* / *sick-carer*)
• Krankenkasse: Health insurance (literally *sick-fund*)
• Krankenstand: Sick leave (status of being sick/absent from work)