der  Juckreiz

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjʊkʁaɪ̯ts/

🧐 What does "der Juckreiz" mean?

Der Juckreiz is the German word for itch or pruritus (the medical term). It describes an unpleasant sensation on the skin that causes the desire to scratch. It's a common symptom of various skin conditions, allergies, or internal diseases, but can also occur without an apparent cause.

The word always takes the masculine article: der. It's a noun primarily used in the singular because it describes a sensation.

📐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Juckreiz

The noun "Juckreiz" is masculine. It is typically used only in the singular.

Declension (Singular)

⚠️ The plural form ("die Juckreize") is very rare and usually only used when referring to different types or episodes of itching.

Example Sentences

1. Der Juckreiz am Arm war unerträglich.
   (The itch on the arm was unbearable.)
2. Sie leidet unter chronischem Juckreiz aufgrund einer Allergie.
   (She suffers from chronic itching due to an allergy.)
3. Die Salbe soll Linderung bei starkem Juckreiz verschaffen.
   (The ointment is supposed to provide relief for severe itching.)
4. Der Arzt untersuchte die Ursache des plötzlichen Juckreizes.
   (The doctor investigated the cause of the sudden itch.)

💡 How to use "Juckreiz"?

"Juckreiz" is mainly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe the sensation of itching.

• Everyday Life: People talk about Juckreiz after a mosquito bite, with dry skin, or when a wool sweater feels scratchy.
• Medicine: Doctors refer to Juckreiz as a symptom (e.g., in eczema, hives, liver diseases).

Typical verbs associated with Juckreiz are: haben (to have), verspüren (to feel), leiden unter (to suffer from), lindern (to relieve), verursachen (to cause). The related verb is jucken ("Meine Haut juckt." - My skin itches.), and the common reaction is kratzen ("Er kratzte sich wegen des Juckreizes." - He scratched himself because of the itch.).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic

Imagine DER (= the, masculine) big strong guy feels a sudden Reiz (urge/stimulus) to juck (scratch) himself -> der Juckreiz. The strong guy helps remember the masculine article 'der'.

Meaning Mnemonic

Juckreiz sounds like 'yook-rights'. Imagine you have the 'right' to 'yook' (scratch) when you feel that stimulus (Reiz). It's a Reiz (stimulus) that makes you want to jucken (itch/scratch).

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

😂 A Little Joke

Warum kratzt sich der Floh den ganzen Tag?

(Why does the flea scratch itself all day long?)

Weil er nur einen einzigen Urlaubstag im Jahr hat – den Floh-Markt!

(Because it only has one day off per year – the flea market!)

(Okay, the joke is about fleas (Flöhe), but they often cause Juckreiz!) 😉

✍️ Poem about Itching (Juckreiz)

Ein Kribbeln hier, ein Pieksen dort,
Der Juckreiz treibt mich fort und fort.
Die Haut spannt, ruft nach der Hand,
Zu kratzen fest, mit Unverstand.

Mal sanft, mal wild, mal ungestillt,
Ein Reiz, der niemals Ruhe will.
Ach, gäb' es doch ein Zauberwort,
Trüge Linderung an diesen Ort.

A tingling here, a prickle there,
The itch just drives me everywhere.
The skin feels tight, calls for the hand,
To scratch it hard, across the land.

Sometimes gentle, sometimes wild,
A stimulus never reconciled.
Oh, if there were a magic word,
To bring relief, make peace be heard.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Schmerz, doch quäl' ich sehr,
Ich komm' von Mücken, Allergien und mehr.
Man will mich kratzen, doch das hilft oft nicht,
Ich bin ein lästiges Gefühl, ein wahrer Wicht.

Was bin ich?

I am not pain, but I torment a lot,
I come from mosquitos, allergies, and what not.
You want to scratch me, but that often fails,
I am an annoying feeling, telling tales.

What am I?

Solution: Der Juckreiz (The itch)

🧩 More Tidbits

Word Composition

The word "Juckreiz" is a compound noun, formed from:

• jucken: The verb meaning 'to itch'.
• der Reiz: The noun meaning 'stimulus', 'irritation', or 'urge'.

So, it literally means an "itch stimulus" or "urge to itch".

Interesting Fact

Itching can be contagious – simply talking about it or seeing someone else scratch can trigger the sensation of Juckreiz in some people!