die
Dosis
💊 What exactly is a Dosis?
Die Dosis (noun, feminine) refers to a precisely measured quantity of a substance, especially medicine or radiation. It's the amount administered or taken at one time or over a specific period.
Examples of substances associated with a Dosis:
- Medicines (e.g., eine Dosis Schmerzmittel - a dose of painkillers)
- Vitamins (e.g., die tägliche Dosis Vitamin C - the daily dose of Vitamin C)
- Radiation (e.g., die Strahlendosis - the radiation dose in an X-ray)
- Drugs (e.g., eine Dosis Heroin - a dose of heroin - 🚨 be cautious with this context!)
- Figuratively: A certain amount of something intangible (e.g., eine Dosis Kritik - a dose of criticism, eine Dosis Glück - a dose of luck)
Since the word only takes the article "die", there are no different meanings depending on the article. It is always feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-sis → always feminine.
📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Dosis
The noun "Dosis" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die". It declines as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dosis |
| Genitive | der | Dosis |
| Dative | der | Dosis |
| Accusative | die | Dosis |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dosen |
| Genitive | der | Dosen |
| Dative | den | Dosen |
| Accusative | die | Dosen |
Example Sentences
- Der Arzt verschrieb mir die richtige Dosis des Medikaments.
(The doctor prescribed the correct dose of the medication for me.) - Bitte überschreiten Sie nicht die empfohlene tägliche Dosis.
(Please do not exceed the recommended daily dose.) - Nach mehreren kleinen Dosen fühlte er sich besser.
(He felt better after several small doses.) - Eine geringe Dosis Humor kann nie schaden.
(A small dose of humor can never hurt.)
💡 How to use "die Dosis" correctly
"Dosis" is mainly used in medical or pharmaceutical contexts when talking about the administration of medicines or active substances. It emphasizes the precise measurement.
- Typical Contexts: Medicine, pharmacy, radiology (Strahlendosis), nutrition (Vitamindosis), drug use (unfortunately also).
- Figurative Use: Less common, but possible, to describe a portion or quantum of something abstract (e.g., eine Dosis Realismus - a dose of realism; although eine Prise Ironie - a pinch of irony might be more idiomatic here).
- Difference from "Menge": While "Menge" generally describes a quantity, "Dosis" implies a specific, often medically or scientifically determined quantity for a particular purpose. Eine "Menge" Zucker (an amount of sugar) is unspecific; eine "Dosis" Zucker could refer to a specific amount in a medical test.
- Important Compounds: Tagesdosis (daily dose), Einzeldosis (single dose), Gesamtdosis (total dose), Höchstdosis (maximum dose), Mindestdosis (minimum dose), Überdosis (overdose - ⚠️ very important, means too much!), Strahlendosis (radiation dose).
🧠 Mnemonics for Dosis
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Medicine or die Precision needed for die Dosis – the feminine ending sound -ie/-is can remind you it's 'die'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine needing to give a precise DOSE. The word "Dosis" sounds a bit like "dose is..." - reminding you it refers to a specific amount ('this dose is...' 5mg, for example).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Gabe: Often in a medical context (e.g., die einmalige Gabe - the single administration/dose).
- Ration: An allotted amount, often for food or resources.
- Menge: A general term for quantity, less specific than Dosis.
- Portion: Usually for food or drink.
- Quantum: More formal or scientific for a specific amount.
⚠️ Potential for Confusion:
- Dose (die): A can or tin, usually made of metal (e.g., Konservendose - food can). Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning!
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Nehmen Sie die Tabletten auch regelmäßig in der verschriebenen Dosis?" Patient: "Ach wissen Sie, Herr Doktor, ich nehme immer eine Überdosis. Von der vorgeschriebenen Dosis wird man ja nicht gesund!"
English Translation: The doctor asks the patient: "Are you taking the tablets regularly in the prescribed dose?" Patient: "Oh, you know, Doctor, I always take an overdose. You don't get healthy from the prescribed dose!"
(Please don't try this at home! 😉)
✍️ Poem about Dosis
German:
Die Dosis macht das Gift, so sagt man klug,
Ob Heilung kommt, ob schwerer Trug.
Ein bisschen hier, ein Quantum dort,
Genau bemessen an dem rechten Ort.
Die Waage fein, das Maß genau,
So wirkt die Dosis, schlau und schlau.
Zu viel, zu wenig, beides schlecht,
Drum achte auf das Dosenrecht!
English Translation:
The dose makes the poison, as wise men say,
Whether healing comes, or grave dismay.
A little here, a quantum there,
Measured precisely with utmost care.
The scale is fine, the measure true,
Thus works the dose, clever and new.
Too much, too little, both are bad,
So mind the dosage right, my lad!
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich bin eine Menge, genau bestimmt,
Vom Arzt oft auf ein Rezept gepinnt.
Mal groß, mal klein, mal täglich rein,
Zu viel von mir kann schädlich sein.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I am an amount, precisely defined,
Often pinned by the doctor to a prescription you find.
Sometimes large, sometimes small, sometimes taken each day,
Too much of me can cause harm, they say.
What am I? Solution: die Dosis (the dose)
ℹ️ More Tidbits
- Etymology: The word "Dosis" comes from the Greek word δόσις (dosis), meaning "a giving" or "gift". It's related to the verb δίδωμι (didōmi), meaning "I give".
- Distribution: The word exists in similar forms in many European languages (English dose, French dose, Italian dose, Spanish dosis).
- Famous Saying: "Die Dosis macht das Gift" (attributed to Paracelsus) – meaning "The dose makes the poison", signifying that the effect of a substance (whether healing or harmful) depends on its quantity.
Summary: is it der, die or das Dosis?
The German word "Dosis" is feminine, so the correct article is die Dosis.