der  Schock

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃɔk/

⚡ What does "der Schock" mean?

Der Schock is a masculine noun (Maskulinum) and has several meanings, often related to sudden, negative events or states:

• Medical : A life-threatening condition where the circulatory system fails, and organs are no longer sufficiently supplied with oxygen (e.g., Kreislaufschock - circulatory shock, anaphylaktischer Schock - anaphylactic shock).
• Psychological/Emotional : A strong, sudden emotional upheaval or trauma, often triggered by an unexpected negative event (e.g., terrible news, an accident).
• Colloquial: A state of great surprise or dismay.

⚠️ Although there are different types of shock, the article is always der.

📊 Grammar of "der Schock" in Detail

The word "Schock" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences 📜

1. Der Patient erlitt einen schweren Schock. (The patient suffered a severe shock. - medical)
2. Die Nachricht von seinem Tod war ein Schock für die ganze Familie. (The news of his death was a shock for the whole family. - emotional)
3. Sie stand unter Schock und konnte nicht sprechen. (She was in shock and couldn't speak. - emotional)
4. Der plötzliche Knall versetzte uns allen einen Schock. (The sudden bang gave us all a shock. - surprise)
5. Der Anblick des Unfalls löste bei den Zeugen einen Schock aus. (The sight of the accident triggered shock in the witnesses. - emotional/traumatic)

🗣️ How to use "der Schock"?

"Der Schock" is mainly used in contexts describing sudden, negative, and often overwhelming events or states.

• Medical context: Here, "Schock" is a clearly defined technical term for circulatory failure. One speaks of hypovolämischer, kardiogener, septischer, anaphylaktischer oder neurogener Schock.
• Emotional/Psychological context: Describes a strong reaction to traumatizing or unexpected news or experiences. Common expressions are: unter Schock stehen (to be in shock), einen Schock erleiden/bekommen (to suffer/receive a shock), jemanden unter Schock setzen (to put someone in shock).
• Colloquial context: Often used exaggeratedly to express great surprise or dismay, e.g., about high prices ("Das war ein echter Preisschock!" - That was a real price shock!) or unexpected turns of events.

Distinction from similar words:

• Schrecken (terror, fright): Similar, but emphasizes the feeling of fear or horror more. "Der Schock" can also include a physical reaction.
• Trauma: Often refers to the long-term psychological consequences of a shocking event, while "der Schock" describes the more immediate reaction.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Schock"

1. For the article: Think of other strong, masculine words often associated with negative events in German: der Schrecken (the terror), der Unfall (the accident), der Kollaps (the collapse). They all share the article with der Schock.
2. For the meaning: Imagine getting an electric shock ⚡ – it's sudden, unexpected, and physically felt, similar to the emotional or medical meaning of the German word "der Schock". Or: When something shocks you, you might freeze like a block - der Block, der Schock.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of "der Schock"

Beware of confusion:

• Die Schockstarre: A state of paralysis in reaction to shock (feminine noun).
• Schocken (verb): To shock someone.

😂 A little Joke

Warum hat der Elektriker einen Schock bekommen?

Weil er den Spannungsbogen nicht verstanden hat! ⚡️

(Why did the electrician get a shock? Because he didn't understand the tension/arc! [Pun: Spannungsbogen means both narrative arc/suspense and voltage arc])

📜 Poem about Shock

Ein Blitz aus heiterem Himmel, Ein Wort, das die Stille zerbricht. Ein jäher, eiskalter Schimmer, Der Schock, der ins Innere sticht.

Die Welt hält den Atem kurz an, Die Sinne, sie scheinen zu fliehn. Ein Moment, der alles ändern kann, Lässt Starre und Leere erblühn.

(A bolt from the blue sky, A word that shatters the calm. A sudden, ice-cold glimmer, The shock that pierces within.)

(The world holds its breath briefly, The senses, they seem to flee. A moment that can change everything, Lets numbness and emptiness bloom.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme plötzlich, ungefragt,

(I come suddenly, unasked, Am often awakened after bad news. Medically, I am very precarious, Emotionally, my burden often weighs heavily. Sometimes cold, sometimes hot, I touch you, I am masculine, tell me, who am I then?)

Solution: der Schock

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The German word "Schock" was borrowed in the 18th century from the English word "shock", which originally meant "violent blow" or "impact". The medical meaning developed later.
• Compounds: There are many compound words with "Schock", e.g.: Kulturschock (culture shock), Preisschock (price shock), Schockzustand (state of shock), Schocktherapie (shock therapy), Schockdiagnose (shock diagnosis), anaphylaktischer Schock (anaphylactic shock), Schockstarre (paralysis from shock - feminine!).
• Expression: "Unter Schock stehen" (to be in shock) is a very common idiom.