die
Impfung
💉 What does "die Impfung" mean?
Die Impfung (noun, feminine) refers to the medical procedure where a vaccine (Impfstoff) is administered to a person or animal to create immunity against a specific infectious disease. It's a preventive measure to protect health.
The word is derived from the verb impfen (to vaccinate/inoculate).
There is only one article for this word: die. It is always feminine. ⚠️ Remembering this is key, as German noun gender is often tricky for learners.
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 in Detail: Die Impfung
The noun "Impfung" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die | Impfung | (Subject) |
| Genitiv | der | Impfung | (Possessive) |
| Dativ | der | Impfung | (Indirect Object) |
| Akkusativ | die | Impfung | (Direct Object) |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die | Impfungen | (Subject) |
| Genitiv | der | Impfungen | (Possessive) |
| Dativ | den | Impfungen | (Indirect Object) |
| Akkusativ | die | Impfungen | (Direct Object) |
Example Sentences
- Die Impfung gegen Masern ist sehr wichtig.
(The vaccination against measles is very important.) - Er hat heute seine zweite Impfung erhalten.
(He received his second vaccination today.) - Viele Impfungen sind für Kinder empfohlen.
(Many vaccinations are recommended for children.) - Nach der Impfung fühlte sie sich etwas müde.
(After the vaccination, she felt a bit tired.)
💡 Everyday Use of Impfung
"Die Impfung" is mainly used in a medical context when talking about disease prevention.
- Typical Collocations: eine Impfung bekommen/erhalten (to get/receive a vaccination), eine Impfung auffrischen (to get a booster shot), die Impfung gegen eine Krankheit (the vaccination against a disease, e.g., tetanus, flu), der Termin für die Impfung (the appointment for the vaccination), der Nachweis über die Impfung (proof of vaccination, e.g., Impfpass - vaccination record book).
- Context: Conversations at the doctor's office (beim Arzt), health news (Gesundheitsnachrichten), discussions about public health (öffentliche Gesundheit), travel preparations (Reiseimpfungen - travel vaccinations).
- Distinction: Don't confuse it with Infektion (infection) or Behandlung (treatment - measures for an existing illness). An Impfung is a form of Prophylaxe (prophylaxis/prevention).
🧠 How to Remember It
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (feminin). Think of other -ung words like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Bedeutung (the meaning)... and, of course, die Impfung. The ending -ung strongly signals 'die'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone giving you an important (wichtig) injection to 'pump' (sounds a bit like 'Impf') up your immunity. This 'pumping up' procedure is die Impfung.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Schutzimpfung: (Protective vaccination) Emphasizes the protective aspect.
- Die Vakzination: (Vaccination) Technical term, internationally understood.
- Die Immunisierung (aktive): (Active immunization) Describes the result of the vaccination (creating immunity).
Antonyms (Opposite Concepts)
- Die Ansteckung / Die Infektion: (Contagion / Infection) The invasion of pathogens (what the vaccination aims to prevent).
- Die Erkrankung: (Illness / Disease) The state of being sick.
- Die Anfälligkeit: (Susceptibility) Lack of protection against a disease.
Related Terms
- impfen (verb): (to vaccinate / to inoculate) The action of administering a vaccine.
- Der Impfstoff (noun, masculine): (vaccine) The substance that is injected.
- Der Impfschutz (noun, masculine): (vaccine protection / immunity) The immunity achieved through vaccination.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Computer eine Impfung bekommen?
Damit er keinen Virus bekommt! 😉
(Why did the computer get a vaccination?
So it wouldn't get a virus!)
📜 A Little Poem
Ein kleiner Piks, kaum zu spüren,
soll vor Krankheit dich bewahren, führen.
Die Impfung stärkt, gibt Widerstand,
Gesundheit fest in deiner Hand.
(A little prick, barely felt,
should save you from illness, guide you well.
The vaccination strengthens, gives resistance,
Health firmly held in your existence.)
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich schütze dich vor mancher Plage,
bin eine Antwort auf die Gesundheitsfrage.
Ein Arzt gibt mich mit Nadel klein,
damit die Viren nicht dringen ein.
Was bin ich?
(I protect you from many a plight,
I'm an answer to the health question's light.
A doctor gives me with a needle small,
so viruses cannot enter at all.
What am I?)
(Solution: die Impfung / the vaccination)
🌐 Further Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word "Impfung" is a noun derived from the verb "impfen" (to vaccinate). The suffix "-ung" is frequently used in German to form feminine nouns from verbs, typically denoting the process or result of the action (e.g., warnen -> die Warnung (the warning), landen -> die Landung (the landing)).
Historical Context (Historischer Kontext): The term "impfen" originally comes from gardening (grafting a shoot onto another plant) and was later transferred to medical practice.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Impfung?
The correct article for Impfung is always die. It's a feminine noun. Remember: nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.