der  Allergiker

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/alɛʁˈɡiːkɐ/

🤧 Who is an Allergiker?

An Allergiker is a male person who suffers from one or more allergies. This means their immune system overreacts to certain substances (Allergene - allergens) that are harmless to most people, such as pollen, house dust mites, animal dander, or certain foods.

The female form is die Allergikerin.

It is a noun derived directly from the word Allergie (allergy) and describes a person affected by it.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Spotlight: Der Allergiker

The word "Allergiker" is a masculine noun. It follows the weak N-declension in the plural and in most cases in the singular (except nominative).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Allergiker muss im Frühling oft niesen. (The allergy sufferer often has to sneeze in spring.)
2. Ich habe den Allergiker nach seinen Symptomen gefragt. (I asked the allergy sufferer about his symptoms.)
3. Der Arzt gibt dem Allergiker ein Antihistaminikum. (The doctor gives the allergy sufferer an antihistamine.)
4. Das ist die spezielle Diät des Allergikers. (That is the allergy sufferer's special diet.)
5. Die Allergiker treffen sich in einer Selbsthilfegruppe. (The allergy sufferers meet in a self-help group.)
6. Man sollte Rücksicht auf die Allergikern nehmen. (One should be considerate of allergy sufferers.)

Everyday Use

The word Allergiker is mainly used in a medical context or in everyday language when talking about people affected by allergies.

• Medical Context: Doctors, pharmacists, and medical staff use the term to describe patients. ("Dieser Patient ist Allergiker." - This patient is an allergy sufferer.)
• Everyday Life: People talk about friends, family, or themselves as Allergiker. ("Als Allergiker muss ich bei Lebensmitteln aufpassen." - As an allergy sufferer, I have to be careful with food.)
• Labeling: Hotels or restaurants often have special offers or notes for allergy sufferers. ("Allergikerfreundliches Menü" - Allergy-friendly menu)

It's important to know that the word is the masculine form. When talking about a woman, use "die Allergikerin". When referring to a mixed group or generalizing, the plural "die Allergiker" is often used, although gender-neutral forms like "Allergiker*innen" or "Allergiker und Allergikerinnen" are increasingly common.

Related terms include: die Allergie (the allergy/hypersensitivity reaction), allergisch (the adjective, e.g., "Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse." - I am allergic to nuts.), das Allergen (the substance triggering the allergy).

Memory Aids for 'Allergiker'

Article Aid: Remember: German often uses der for male persons or professions (der Mann, der Lehrer). Since Allergiker refers to a male person suffering from allergies, it's der Allergiker.

Meaning Aid: The word sounds very similar to 'allergy'. Think of someone having an 'allergic reaction' - they are an Allergiker.

Similar and Opposite Terms

Words That Could Cause Confusion

• Allergologe/Allergologin: This is the doctor (allergist) who treats allergies, not the patient.

A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Allergiker: "Haben Sie Haustiere?"
Antwortet der Allergiker: "Ja, einen Staubwedel. Aber selbst auf den reagiere ich allergisch!" 🤧

Translation:
The doctor asks the allergy sufferer: "Do you have any pets?"
The allergy sufferer replies: "Yes, a duster. But I'm even allergic to that!" 🤧

Allergy Sufferer's Blues

Der Frühling kommt, die Pollen fliegen,
für den Allergiker kein Grund zum Wiegen
in sanfter Brise, nein, oh Schreck,
die Nase läuft, die Augen jucken keck.
Der Kater schnurrt, so lieb und fein,
doch Haare wirbeln – "Nein, oh nein!"
Ein Apfel rot, sieht lecker aus,
doch für den Mund ein großer Graus.
So lebt er stets auf der Hut,
der Allergiker, mit neuem Mut!

Translation:
Spring arrives, the pollen flies,
for the allergy sufferer, no reason to sway
in a gentle breeze, no, oh dear,
the nose runs, the eyes itch with cheer(?).
The cat purrs, so lovely and fine,
but hairs swirl – "No, oh no!" a whine.
An apple red, looks tasty too,
but for the mouth, a dreadful to-do.
So he always lives on guard, you see,
the allergy sufferer, courageously!

Who Am I? A Riddle

Ich reagiere stark, doch nicht aus Zorn,
auf Pollen, Staub und jedes Korn.
Mein Körper kämpft, wo nichts zu kämpfen wär,
ein Nieskonzert erfüll ich sehr.
Ich meide Katzen, Nüsse, manches Tier,
sag, wer bin ich, verrate es mir!

Translation:
I react strongly, but not from anger,
to pollen, dust, and every grain danger.
My body fights where there's no real foe,
a sneezing concert, I put on a show.
I avoid cats, nuts, some animals near,
tell me, who am I, make it clear!

Solution: der Allergiker (the male allergy sufferer)

Trivia and Word Formation

Word Formation

The word "Allergiker" is a derivation:

• Stem: Allergie (allergy)
• Suffix: -iker (This suffix is often used to denote a person characterized by something or involved in something, e.g., Physiker - physicist, Techniker - technician, Zyniker - cynic).

Common Allergies

Some of the most common triggers for allergies that Allergiker deal with include:

• Pollen (hay fever)
• House dust mites
• Animal dander (e.g., from cats, dogs)
• Mold spores
• Foods (e.g., nuts, milk, eggs, gluten)
• Insect venom (e.g., bee, wasp stings)
• Medications