die
Ansteckung
🦠 What exactly does 'die Ansteckung' mean?
Die Ansteckung (noun, feminine) describes the process or result of transmitting pathogens (like viruses or bacteria) from one living being to another, which can lead to an infection.
It refers to both the act of transmission and the state of being infected.
- Main meaning: Contagion, infection, transmission of a disease.
- Figurative meaning (less common): Transmission of feelings, moods, or ideas (e.g., 'die Ansteckung mit Begeisterung' - contagion with enthusiasm).
⚠️ Important: Not every Ansteckung necessarily leads to the outbreak of a disease.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Ansteckung
The word 'Ansteckung' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ansteckung |
| Genitive | der | Ansteckung |
| Dative | der | Ansteckung |
| Accusative | die | Ansteckung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ansteckungen |
| Genitive | der | Ansteckungen |
| Dative | den | Ansteckungen |
| Accusative | die | Ansteckungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Ansteckung erfolgte vermutlich über Tröpfcheninfektion.
(The contagion probably occurred via droplet infection.) - Ärzte warnen vor einer erhöhten Ansteckungsgefahr im Winter.
(Doctors warn of an increased risk of contagion in winter.) - Nach der Ansteckung traten schnell erste Symptome auf.
(After the infection, the first symptoms appeared quickly.) - Man muss verschiedene Arten von Ansteckungen unterscheiden.
(One must differentiate between various types of contagions/infections.)
🗣️ How to use 'Ansteckung'?
The term 'Ansteckung' is primarily used in a medical context when discussing the spread of diseases. It can refer to specific illnesses (e.g., 'die Ansteckung mit Grippe' - the infection with the flu) or generally to the risk of infection ('die Gefahr der Ansteckung' - the danger of contagion).
- Typical Collocations: die Gefahr der Ansteckung (the risk of contagion), sich vor Ansteckung schützen (to protect oneself from contagion), eine Ansteckung vermeiden (to avoid contagion), die Ansteckung erfolgt durch... (contagion occurs through...)
- Context: Medicine, biology, public health, everyday conversations about illnesses.
- Figurative Use: Less common, but possible to describe the rapid spread of ideas or emotions (e.g., 'seine gute Laune führte zur Ansteckung der ganzen Gruppe' - his good mood led to the contagion of the whole group). Here, it's often meant metaphorically.
- Differentiation: 'Infektion' often describes the state after contagion has occurred, while 'Ansteckung' emphasizes the transmission process. 'Übertragung' (transmission) is a more general term that can also be used for non-disease related things.
🧠 Mnemonics for Ansteckung
For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German (die). Think of a warning (die Warnung) about the coming contagion (die Ansteckung). Both require feminine caution!
For the meaning: Imagine someone 'an'noyingly 'steck'-ing (sticking) germs onto you – that's 'Ansteckung' (contagion).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Infektion: (Infection) Often used synonymously, but tends to emphasize the state after transmission.
- Übertragung: (Transmission) More general term, but fitting in the medical context.
- Kontagion: (Contagion) Technical term, very similar to Ansteckung.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Prävention / Vorbeugung: (Prevention) Measures to stop contagion.
- Immunität: (Immunity) State of being protected from contagion/disease.
- Gesundheit: (Health) Absence of disease/infection.
- Isolation / Quarantäne: (Isolation / Quarantine) Measures to prevent further contagion.
Similar words (potential confusion):
- Anstoß: (Impulse, offense, kick-off) Has nothing to do with illness.
- Anstich: (Tapping a keg) e.g., Bieranstich.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum tragen Viren keine Hüte?
Damit sie sich besser verbreiten können und die Ansteckung leichter fällt! 😉
EN: Why don't viruses wear hats?
So they can spread better and contagion is easier! 😉
✍️ Poem about Contagion
DE:
Ein Niesen hier, ein Husten dort,
So reist die Krankheit fort und fort.
Die Ansteckung, ein unsichtbarer Gast,
Nimmt Körper schnell in seine Last.
Drum wasch die Händ', halt Abstand ein,
So bleibst du hoffentlich bald rein.
EN:
A sneeze here, a cough there it sends,
The illness travels without ends.
Die Ansteckung, an invisible guest,
Quickly puts bodies to the test.
So wash your hands, keep distance right,
To hopefully stay healthy and bright.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich komme unsichtbar und leis,
Mach' manchen kalt und manchen heiß.
Ich reise durch die Luft geschwind,
Befall' oft Elternteil und Kind.
Man schützt sich vor mir, mit Bedacht,
Damit man nicht krank darnieder kracht.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Lösung: Die Ansteckung
EN:
I come invisibly and slight,
Make some feel cold and some feel hot delight (fever).
I travel swiftly through the air,
Affecting parent and child, beyond compare.
People guard against me with great care,
Lest illness strike them, hard to bear.
Who or what am I?
Solution: Die Ansteckung (Contagion/Infection)
💡 More Facts
Word Composition:
The word 'Ansteckung' is derived from the verb 'anstecken' (to infect, to pass on). It consists of:
- Prefix 'an-' (indicates direction or beginning)
- Verb 'stecken' (in the sense of 'to stick', 'to transmit')
- Suffix '-ung' (forms a noun from the verb, indicating a process or result)
Trivia:
The fear of contagion is medically known as 'Mysophobia' or 'Ansteckungsphobie'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ansteckung?
The German word Ansteckung is feminine. The correct article is die Ansteckung. It refers to the transmission of pathogens, meaning contagion or infection.