der  Patient

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/paˈt͡si̯ɛnt/

🧑‍⚕️ What does "der Patient" mean?

Der Patient (noun, masculine) refers to a person who is under medical or therapeutic treatment or is using medical services. It is the male form.

The female form is die Patientin.

In the plural, for mixed groups or when gender is irrelevant, the masculine form die Patienten is often used (generic masculine), although gender-neutral formulations like "Patientinnen und Patienten" or "Patient*innen" are increasingly common.

🚨 Attention: Although "Patient" in its plural form or in general contexts can refer to people of any gender, the grammatically correct masculine singular form is "der Patient" and the feminine singular form is "die Patientin".

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar of "der Patient" in Detail

"Der Patient" is a weak masculine noun (n-declension). This means it takes the ending "-en" in all cases except the nominative singular.

Example Sentences

1. Der Patient wartet im Wartezimmer auf den Arzt. (The patient is waiting for the doctor in the waiting room.)
2. Die Akte des Patienten liegt auf dem Schreibtisch. (The patient's file is on the desk.)
3. Der Arzt gibt dem Patienten ein Rezept. (The doctor gives the patient a prescription.)
4. Die Krankenschwester untersucht den Patienten. (The nurse examines the patient.)
5. Die Patienten werden zur Untersuchung aufgerufen. (The patients are called for the examination.)

🩺 When and how to use "Patient"?

The word "Patient" is mainly used in a medical context:

• In doctor's offices (Arztpraxen), hospitals (Krankenhäusern), clinics (Kliniken), and therapy facilities (Therapieeinrichtungen).
• When talking about people receiving medical help (medizinische Hilfe), care (Pflege), or advice (Beratung).
• In professional literature (Fachliteratur), medical records (Krankenakten), and conversations among medical staff (medizinisches Personal).

It differs from "Kunde" (customer) or "Klient" (client), although these terms might be used synonymously in some therapeutic or care settings. "Patient" more strongly implies the presence of an illness (Krankheit) or suffering (Leiden) and a dependence on medical expertise.

Example Contexts:

• "Der Patient leidet an einer Grippe." (The patient is suffering from the flu.)
• "Die Aufnahme neuer Patienten erfolgt am Empfang." (New patients are registered at the reception.)
• "Die Rechte des Patienten müssen gewahrt werden." (The patient's rights must be respected.)

💡 Mnemonics for "der Patient"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Arzt (the male doctor) or der Pfleger (the male nurse) – roles in the medical field often use the masculine article der in German. So does der Patient.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Patient often has to be patient (geduldig in German) until they get better or receive treatment. The word derives from the Latin patiens (suffering, enduring).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words: Be careful not to confuse "Patient" with words like "Praktikant" (intern/trainee), although they might sound somewhat similar.

😄 A Little Joke

DE: Patient zum Arzt: "Herr Doktor, ich habe jeden Morgen um 7 Uhr Stuhlgang." Arzt: "Das ist doch sehr gut!" Patient: "Aber ich stehe erst um halb acht auf!"

EN: Patient to doctor: "Doctor, I have a bowel movement every morning at 7 AM." Doctor: "That's very good!" Patient: "But I don't get up until 7:30!"

✍️ Poem about the Patient

DE:
Im Wartezimmer, still und fahl,
Sitzt der Patient, hat eine Wahl?
Nein, warten muss er, voller Bangen,
Bis seine Schmerzen sind vergangen.
Der Doktor kommt, mit ernstem Blick,
Bringt Hoffnung oder Missgeschick?
Geduld ist Tugend, hier im Raum,
Für den Patienten, wie ein Traum
Von Gesundheit, fern und klar,
Bald ist er wieder ganz der Star.

EN:
In the waiting room, quiet and pale,
Sits the patient, does he have a say?
No, wait he must, full of fear,
Until his pains disappear.
The doctor comes, with a serious gaze,
Bringing hope or unlucky days?
Patience is virtue, in this space,
For the patient, like a dream's embrace
Of health, distant, bright and clear,
Soon he'll be the star once here.

❓ Riddle: Who am I?

DE:
Ich komme nicht gern, doch muss ich sein,
In Praxis oder Krankenheim.
Ich warte oft, mit Schmerz und Leid,
Auf Hilfe in der schweren Zeit.
Mein Name klingt nach viel Geduld,
Wer trägt an meiner Krankheit Schuld?
Wer bin ich? (... Der Patient)

EN:
I don't like to come, but must be there,
In doctor's office or place of care.
I often wait, with pain and sorrow,
For help today and for tomorrow.
My name suggests endurance's art,
Who bears the blame for my sick heart?
Who am I? (... The Patient / der Patient)

🧐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Patient" comes from the Latin word patiens, meaning "suffering", "enduring", or "patient". This reflects the often passive role and the necessity to wait for improvement or endure discomfort.

Compound Nouns: The word is part of many compound nouns in the medical field, e.g.:

• Patientenakte (patient record/file)
• Patientenverfügung (living will / advance directive)
• Patientenaufnahme (patient admission)
• Kassenpatient (statutory health insurance patient) / Privatpatient (private health insurance patient)