die  Indikation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪndikaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🎯 What exactly is an Indikation?

Die Indikation (feminine) is a term used primarily in two contexts:

1. Medicine & Pharmacy 🩺: Here, die Indikation refers to the reason or justification for a specific medical intervention (e.g., surgery, administering a drug). It indicates the conditions under which a treatment is appropriate or necessary. It's also called Heilanzeige (indication for cure).

2. General Meaning 💡: In a broader sense, Indikation means a sign, a hint, or a symptom that points to something specific. It's a signal or a pointer.

⚠️ It's important not to confuse Indikation with Diagnose (diagnosis). The Diagnose identifies the illness, while the Indikation justifies the need for a specific treatment for that illness.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Indikation

The word "Indikation" is a noun (Substantiv) and is feminine. The article is therefore die.

Example Sentences

1. Die klare Indikation für die Operation war der Befund des Arztes.
   (The clear indication for the operation was the doctor's finding.)
2. Es gibt verschiedene Indikationen für dieses Medikament.
   (There are various indications for this medication.)
3. Der Rauch aus dem Schornstein war eine Indikation dafür, dass jemand zu Hause war.
   (The smoke from the chimney was an indication that someone was home.)
4. Bei dieser Indikation ist Vorsicht geboten.
   (Caution is advised with this indication.)

✍️ How to use 'Indikation'?

• Medical Context: Very common in medical reports, clinical studies, package inserts, and specialist discussions. Examples: "Eine Indikation stellen" (to establish an indication), "die Indikation prüfen" (to check the indication), "Kontraindikation" (contraindication).

  Example: "Die Hauptindikation für dieses Antibiotikum sind bakterielle Infektionen der Atemwege." (The main indication for this antibiotic is bacterial respiratory infections.)

• General Context: Less common, but possible, to describe a hint or sign. Often sounds somewhat formal or scientific.

  Example: "Die sinkenden Verkaufszahlen sind eine klare Indikation für eine notwendige Strategieänderung." (The declining sales figures are a clear indication of a necessary strategy change.)

• Differentiation: In general usage, German words like "Anzeichen" (sign), "Hinweis" (hint), "Signal" (signal), or "Zeichen" (sign/mark) are often more common and less formal than Indikation.

🧠 Mnemonics for Indikation

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-tion" are feminine (die), like die Aktion, die Information, die Station... and also die Indikation.

Meaning Mnemonic (Medical): Think of "indication" in English – it's very similar! It's the indication (reason) for medical action. Or link 'Indiz' (clue) + 'Aktion' (action): A medical clue leads to action – that's the Indikation.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words

• Diagnose: The identification of an illness (not the reason for treatment).
• Indiz: A clue or piece of evidence, often in a legal or detective context, less medical.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chefarzt den jungen Assistenten: "Was ist die Indikation für Baldrian-Tropfen bei diesem Patienten?"
Antwortet der Assistent: "Die Indikation ist, dass er mich sonst wahnsinnig macht!" 😉

Translation:
The chief physician asks the young assistant: "What's the indication for valerian drops for this patient?"
The assistant replies: "The indication is that he's driving me crazy otherwise!" 😉

📜 Poem about Indikation

Ein Schmerz, ein Zeichen, tief im Sein,
der Doktor fragt: "Was mag das sein?"
Er prüft genau, mit Blick und Hand,
sucht nach dem Grund, im Krankenstand.

Dann spricht er klar, die Wahl getroffen,
lässt auf Besserung hoffen.
"Dies ist die rechte Aktion,
begründet durch die Indikation."

Translation:
A pain, a sign, deep within being,
The doctor asks: "What might this mean?"
He checks closely, with eye and hand,
Seeks the reason, in the sickness land.

Then he speaks clearly, the choice is made,
Lets hope for improvement cascade.
"This is the right action,
Justified by the indication."

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin der Grund für Pill' und Schnitt,
sag' dem Doktor: "Tu den Schritt!"
Ich bin ein Zeichen, ein Verweis,
manchmal heiß, manchmal leis.

Im Medizinbuch steh' ich drin,
geb' der Behandlung einen Sinn.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am the reason for pill and cut,
Tell the doctor: "Make the strut!"
I am a sign, a reference,
Sometimes hot, sometimes in deference.

In the medical book I reside,
Giving treatment meaning inside.

Who am I?

Solution: die Indikation

🌐 Further Insights

Word Origin

The word "Indikation" comes from the Latin verb indicare, meaning "to point out", "to indicate", or "to state". The suffix "-tion" signals a process or result.

Related Terms

• Kontraindikation: A factor that speaks against a particular medical measure.
• Indizieren: The verb, meaning "to be indicated" (medically) or "to index" (put on an index).
• Index: An index or register (e.g., the "Index librorum prohibitorum", index of prohibited books). Shares the same Latin root.