der  Entzug

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɛnttsuːk/

What does "der Entzug" mean? 🤔

Der Entzug is a masculine noun and generally describes the act of taking away or the absence of something. It has several specific meanings:

• Medical/Psychological: The cessation or reduction of a substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol, caffeine, medication) to which the body has become accustomed. This often leads to Entzugserscheinungen (withdrawal symptoms). Example: "Er leidet unter starkem Nikotinentzug." (He suffers from severe nicotine withdrawal.)
• Legal/Administrative: The revocation or withdrawal of a right, permission, or privilege. Example: "Der Entzug der Fahrerlaubnis war die Folge." (The revocation of the driver's license was the consequence.)
• General: The deprivation or lack of something important or habitual. Example: "Schlafentzug kann gesundheitsschädlich sein." (Sleep deprivation can be harmful to health.) or "Liebesentzug als Strafe." (Withdrawal of affection as punishment.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the exact meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Mastering the Grammar of "Entzug" 💪

Der Entzug is a masculine noun. The declension in the singular mostly follows the strong pattern, but the genitive can sometimes be weak. The plural is "die Entzüge".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📝

1. Der Entzug von Koffein kann Kopfschmerzen verursachen. (Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches.)
2. Die Symptome des Entzugs waren heftig. (The symptoms of the withdrawal were severe.)
3. Er kämpfte mit dem Entzug. (He struggled with the withdrawal.)
4. Sie beschloss den sofortigen Entzug. (She decided on immediate withdrawal/revocation.)
5. Die verschiedenen Entzüge belasten den Körper. (The various types of withdrawal/deprivation burden the body.)
6. Die Dauer der Entzüge kann variieren. (The duration of the withdrawals can vary.)
7. Man muss den verschiedenen Entzügen entgegenwirken. (One must counteract the various withdrawals/deprivations.)
8. Die Klinik behandelt schwierige Entzüge. (The clinic treats difficult withdrawals.)

When to use "Entzug"? Context is Key! 🎯

Der Entzug is used in various contexts:

• Medicine & Addiction Therapy: Very common in connection with dependencies (Drogenentzug - drug withdrawal, Alkoholentzug - alcohol withdrawal, Medikamentenentzug - medication withdrawal). Here, it describes both the process of stopping and the associated physical and psychological reactions (Entzugserscheinungen - withdrawal symptoms, Entzugssymptome - withdrawal symptoms). You can also say: "Er ist auf Entzug." (He is undergoing withdrawal / He's in withdrawal.)
• Law & Administration: Often used in relation to the loss of permits or rights (Führerscheinentzug - driver's license revocation, Lizenzentzug - license revocation, Sorgerechtsentzug - custody withdrawal). It denotes the formal revocation.
• Everyday Life & Psychology: Describes the lack of basic needs or emotional affection (Schlafentzug - sleep deprivation, Nahrungsentzug - food deprivation, Liebesentzug - withdrawal of affection, Reizentzug - sensory deprivation).

Comparison with other words:

• Absetzung: More neutral term for stopping intake (e.g., of medication), doesn't necessarily emphasize negative side effects like 'Entzug'.
• Aberkennung: Similar to 'Entzug' in the legal sense, emphasizes the formal act of taking away.
• Verzicht (der): Emphasizes the voluntary nature of non-consumption or non-use, whereas 'Entzug' is often involuntary or a necessary consequence.
• Mangel (der): Generally describes the lack of something, while 'Entzug' often implies active removal or the sudden absence after habituation.

Easy ways to remember "der Entzug"! 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER (the masculine 'the') as representing something strong or forceful, like the powerful effect of withdrawal (Entzug) or the authority (often perceived as male, like a judge - der Richter) that revokes (entzieht) a license. DER takes something away.

Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix Ent- often means 'away' or 'out' (like in entfernen - to remove). Think of a train (Zug) going away (Ent-) and taking something with it – the drug, sleep, the license. Ent-Zug = Something is pulled/taken away.

Words around "Entzug" ↔️

Similar but Misleading Words ⚠️

• Umzug (der): Moving (house).
• Anzug (der): Suit (clothing).
• Bezug (der): Reference, relation; also cover (for pillow, etc.).
• Verzug (der): Delay.

A little chuckle about "Entzug" 😂

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Wie kommen Sie mit Ihrem Kaffee-Entzug klar?" Antwortet der Patient: "Es geht so. Die Kopfschmerzen sind weg, aber das Zittern macht das Löffeln etwas schwierig!" ☕️

English Translation: The doctor asks the patient: "How are you coping with your coffee withdrawal?" The patient replies: "It's okay. The headaches are gone, but the shaking makes using a spoon a bit difficult!" ☕️

"Entzug" in verse 📜

German:
Der kalte Schweiß, das Inn're leer,
Der Körper schreit, er will viel mehr.
Der Entzug packt zu, mit harter Hand,
Ob Schlaf, ob Recht, ob Sucht im Land.
Man kämpft sich frei, sucht neuen Halt,
Bis diese Leidenszeit verhallt.

English Translation:
The cold sweat, the inside empty,
The body screams, it wants much plenty.
The withdrawal grips, with a harsh hand,
Whether sleep, or rights, or addiction in the land.
One fights free, seeks new support,
Until this time of suffering aborts.

Who or what am I? An "Entzug" riddle ❓

German:
Ich kann dich zittern lassen oder rasend machen.
Ich nehme dir den Führerschein oder süße Sachen.
Manchmal bin ich Schlaf, der dir genommen,
manchmal eine Sucht, der du entkommen.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I can make you shake or drive you mad.
I take away your license or sweet things you had.
Sometimes I am sleep, that's taken from you,
sometimes an addiction you've escaped through.

What am I?

Solution: Der Entzug (Withdrawal / Deprivation / Revocation)

Tidbits about "Entzug" 💡

Word Composition:

The word Entzug is a nominalization (making a noun) from the verb stem of entziehen (to withdraw, revoke, deprive). The prefix ent- expresses separation, removal, or reversal. Ziehen here means 'to take' or 'to pull'. So, literally: the 'away-taking' or 'pulling-away'.

Related Terms:

• Entzugserscheinung (die): withdrawal symptom - Symptom occurring during withdrawal.
• Entzugsklinik (die): withdrawal clinic - Facility for treating addicts during withdrawal.
• Entziehungskur (die): withdrawal treatment/cure - Medical treatment for withdrawal.
• Entziehbar (adjective): revocable, withdrawable - Something that can be taken away.