der
Verletzte
🤕 What does 'der Verletzte' mean?
The word 'Verletzte' is a nominalized adjective, derived from the past participle of the verb 'verletzen' (to injure). It refers to a person who has suffered an injury.
With the article 'der', it specifically refers to a male injured person.
- der Verletzte: the injured man / male person
- die Verletzte: the injured woman / female person
- die Verletzten: the injured people (plural)
It is declined like an adjective but used as a noun and capitalized.
🚨 Attention: Although 'Verletzte' is often used in the singular, it always refers to a person. Don't confuse it with the abstract concept 'die Verletzung' (the injury).
🧐 Grammar of 'der Verletzte' in Detail
'Der Verletzte' is a noun derived from an adjective (nominalization). It follows the rules of adjective declension after the definite article (weak declension) or after an indefinite article/without an article (strong/mixed declension).
Declension (Masculine Singular - der Verletzte)
After definite article (der):
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Verletzte |
| Accusative | den Verletzten |
| Dative | dem Verletzten |
| Genitive | des Verletzten |
After indefinite article (ein):
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | ein Verletzter |
| Accusative | einen Verletzten |
| Dative | einem Verletzten |
| Genitive | eines Verletzten |
Without article:
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | Verletzter |
| Accusative | Verletzten |
| Dative | Verletztem |
| Genitive | Verletzten |
Example Sentences
- Der Verletzte wurde sofort ins Krankenhaus gebracht.
(The injured man was immediately taken to the hospital.) - Die Sanitäter kümmerten sich um den Verletzten.
(The paramedics took care of the injured man.) - Man reichte dem Verletzten Wasser.
(Someone gave water to the injured man.) - Der Zustand des Verletzten ist stabil.
(The injured man's condition is stable.) - Ist hier ein Verletzter?
(Is there an injured man here?)
🗣️ How to use 'der Verletzte'?
The term 'der Verletzte' is primarily used in contexts reporting on accidents, disasters, medical emergencies, or conflicts.
- News reports: "Bei dem Brand gab es drei Verletzte." (There were three injured people in the fire. - Plural use, but often specific: "Der schwer Verletzte wurde ausgeflogen." - The seriously injured man was airlifted out.)
- Medical context: "Der Verletzte klagte über starke Schmerzen im Bein." (The injured man complained about severe pain in his leg.)
- Everyday language: Less common, but possible: "Pass auf, da liegt ein Verletzter!" (Watch out, there's an injured man/boy lying there!)
Difference to 'der Verwundete': While 'der Verletzte' generally refers to any kind of physical harm from external impact, 'der Verwundete' (the wounded) is often used more specifically for injuries caused by weapons, especially in a military context.
Difference to 'das Opfer': 'Das Opfer' (the victim) can also be an injured person, but it emphasizes the suffering of harm (including non-physical) due to an act or event.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Verletzte'
For the article 'der': Think of a typical male action hero (der Held) who often gets injured. The masculine hero (der Held) is often der Verletzte.
For the meaning 'injured person': The word sounds like the verb 'verletzen' (to injure). Imagine someone got verletzt (injured) and is now the one (male) who is injured -> der Verletzte.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'der Verletzte'
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Der Geschädigte: The harmed person (suffered damage, not only physical). Broader than 'der Verletzte'.
- Der Verwundete: The wounded person (often specifically from weapons, e.g., in war).
- Das Opfer: The victim (person targeted by a harmful act or event, can be non-physical).
- Der Verunfallte: The person involved in an accident (often implies injury).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Der Gesunde: The healthy person.
- Der Unverletzte: The uninjured person (someone unharmed in an event).
- Der Unversehrte: Similar to 'der Unverletzte', emphasizing intactness/undamaged state.
⚠️ Similar sounding words: Be careful not to confuse 'der Verletzte' (the injured person, noun) with 'die Verletzung' (the injury, noun).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Arzt den Verletzten: "Haben Sie starke Schmerzen?"
Antwortet der Verletzte: "Nur wenn ich lache, Herr Doktor!"
Translation:
The doctor asks the injured man: "Are you in severe pain?"
The injured man replies: "Only when I laugh, Doctor!"
📜 A Short Poem
Ein Knall, ein Sturz, ein leiser Schrei,
Da liegt er nun, vorbei, vorbei?
Nein, Hilfe naht, schnell ist sie hier,
Für den Verletzten, glaub es mir.
Ein Pflaster, Trost, ein gutes Wort,
Bald ist er wieder heil, und fort.
Translation:
A bang, a fall, a soft cry,
There he lies now, is it goodbye?
No, help approaches, quickly here,
For the injured one, believe me, dear.
A bandage, comfort, a kind word spoken,
Soon he'll be healed again, and unbroken.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe oft Pech gehabt,
Ein Unfall hat mich umtrabt.
Ich liege hier mit Weh und Ach,
Der Doktor kommt gleich übers Dach.
Bin ich ein Mann mit Schmerz und Pein,
Wer könnte ich wohl sein?
Translation:
I've often had bad luck,
An accident left me struck.
I lie here with ache and woe,
The doctor's coming, watch him go.
If I'm a man with hurt and strain,
Who could I possibly be again?
Solution: Der Verletzte (The injured man)
💡 Other Information
Word Formation:
- The word is formed through nominalization of the past participle II of 'verletzen' (to injure).
- verletzt (adjective/participle) + article/ending -> der Verletzte (noun)
Related Words:
- verletzen: the verb (to injure)
- die Verletzung: the noun (the injury)
- verletzlich: the adjective (vulnerable)
- unverletzt: the adjective (uninjured)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verletzte?
The word 'Verletzte' is a nominalized adjective. For a male person, you use 'der Verletzte' (or 'ein Verletzter'). For a female person, use 'die Verletzte', and for the plural, use 'die Verletzten'.