der  Krankenstand

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁaŋkn̩ˌʃtant/

🩺 What does "der Krankenstand" mean?

The term der Krankenstand has two main meanings:

1. State of being ill (for an individual): This refers to the situation where a person is unable to work due to illness and is absent from work. You often say someone is "im Krankenstand sein" (to be on sick leave).
2. Statistical measure (in a company/organization): This describes the proportion or number of employees who are absent due to illness at a specific time or over a period. It's a key performance indicator (KPI) reflecting workforce health and can indicate working conditions or seasonal waves of illness.

⚠️ It's a masculine noun, so it's always der Krankenstand.

📚 Grammar of Krankenstand in Detail

"Der Krankenstand" is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular, especially when referring to the condition of a single person. The plural ("die Krankenstände") is rare and usually refers to statistical data across different periods or departments.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension - Rare

Example Sentences

• (State) Herr Müller ist seit Montag im Krankenstand.
  (Mr. Müller has been on sick leave since Monday.)
• (Statistic) Der Krankenstand in der Abteilung ist diesen Winter ungewöhnlich hoch.
  (The sick leave rate in the department is unusually high this winter.)
• (Statistic, Plural) Die Firma analysiert die Krankenstände der letzten fünf Jahre.
  (The company is analyzing the sick leave rates of the last five years.)

🗣️ How is "der Krankenstand" used?

The term "Krankenstand" is primarily used in professional or administrative contexts.

• In professional life: When colleagues or employees are ill, one says they are "im Krankenstand" (on sick leave). Example: "Frau Schmidt ist heute im Krankenstand." (Ms. Schmidt is on sick leave today.)
• In HR / Management: Here, der Krankenstand is often used as a statistical measure to track and analyze absenteeism due to illness. Example: "Wir müssen Maßnahmen ergreifen, um den hohen Krankenstand zu senken." (We need to take measures to reduce the high rate of sick leave.)
• Difference from "Krankmeldung": A "Krankmeldung" is the document or notification used to inform the employer about the illness (sick note/notification). "Krankenstand" is the state of being ill or the statistical record thereof.
• Colloquially: Less common in everyday conversation. People might rather say "krankgeschrieben sein" (to be signed off sick) or simply "krank sein" (to be sick).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

1. For the article 'der': Think of 'der' Stand (the state/status/level, masculine). It's the status regarding the Kranken (sick people). Or: someone sick might need a cane ('der Stock', masculine) to stand ('Stand').
2. For the meaning: Break it down: Kranken (the sick people) + Stand (the state or level/rate) = The state or rate of sick people.

Imagine all sick employees have to report to a specific 'stand' or station – the 'Kranken-Stand'. And 'der' (the) boss is counting them.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• Krankheit: (Illness) - The cause of being im Krankenstand.
• Genesung: (Recovery) - The process of getting better, the opposite of being sick.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Mitarbeiter: "Warum waren Sie gestern nicht bei der Arbeit?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ich war im Krankenstand."
Chef: "Ach wirklich? Komisch, ich habe Sie gestern topfit beim Fußballspiel gesehen!"
Mitarbeiter: "Kein Wunder, Herr Chef, ich war ja auch im passiven Krankenstand!" 😉

Translation:
The boss asks the employee: "Why weren't you at work yesterday?"
Employee: "I was on sick leave."
Boss: "Oh really? Funny, I saw you looking perfectly fit at the football game yesterday!"
Employee: "No wonder, boss, I was on passive sick leave!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Word

Der Schreibtisch leer, das Telefon ist stumm,
Herr Maier fehlt, man fragt herum.
"Wo ist er denn?" – Die Antwort ist bekannt:
"Er ist zurzeit im Krankenstand."

Die Grippe kam, nun liegt er flach,
bringt Zahlen durcheinander, ach!
Der Chef notiert mit ernster Hand:
Schon wieder steigt der Krankenstand.

Translation:
The desk is empty, the telephone is mute,
Mr. Maier is missing, people ask around.
"Where is he then?" – The answer is known:
"He's currently on sick leave."

The flu arrived, now he's laid low,
Mixing up the numbers, oh woe!
The boss notes with a serious hand:
The rate of sick leave rises again.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Zustand, manchmal kurz, manchmal lang,
Ich halte dich fern vom Arbeitsdrang.
Chefs sehen mich ungern, messen mich oft genau,
bin ich zu hoch, gibt's im Büro Stau.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a state, sometimes short, sometimes long,
I keep you away from the urge to work along.
Bosses dislike me, measure me with precision,
If I'm too high, the office faces collision (traffic jam).

What am I?
(Solution: Der Krankenstand / Sick leave status or rate)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Krankenstand" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Kranken: Refers to the sick people (originally Genitive Plural of "der Kranke" - the sick person).
• Stand: Refers to the state, condition, level, or statistical rate/level.

Interestingly, "Stand" can have many meanings in German (position, social status, market stall), but here it signifies 'state' or 'level/rate'.