die  Injektion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪnʲɛkˈt͡si̯oːn/

💉 What does "die Injektion" mean?

The word die Injektion (noun, feminine) generally describes the introduction or injection of a liquid into a body or a system. It has several specific meanings:

• Medical: The introduction of liquid Arzneimittel (medications), Impfstoffe (vaccines), or Kontrastmittel (contrast agents) into the body using a Spritze (syringe) and Kanüle (needle) (e.g., into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein). This is the most common meaning.
• Technical: The injection of substances into technical systems, e.g., Kraftstoffeinspritzung (fuel injection) in engines (Benzin-, Dieselinjektion) or the injection of plastic into a mold in the Spritzgussverfahren (injection molding process).
• Geology: The intrusion of magma or sediments into pre-existing rock layers.

⚠️ Although technically also correct, in everyday context for engines, people more often say "Einspritzung".

🧐 Grammar & Declension: die Injektion

"Injektion" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Words ending in "-ion" in German are almost always feminine.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

• Der Arzt verabreichte dem Patienten eine Injektion gegen die Schmerzen. (The doctor gave the patient an injection for the pain.)
• Vor der Reise erhielt sie die notwendigen Injektionen (Impfungen). (Before the trip, she received the necessary injections (vaccinations).)
• Die intramuskuläre Injektion ist eine häufige Verabreichungsform. (The intramuscular injection is a common form of administration.)
• Bei modernen Motoren sorgt die elektronische Injektion für Effizienz. (In modern engines, electronic injection ensures efficiency.)

💡 How is "Injektion" used?

The term die Injektion is predominantly used in a medical context.

• Medicine: One speaks of an Injektion when medications are injected. Typical collocations are: eine Injektion geben/verabreichen/bekommen/erhalten (to give/administer/get/receive an injection), subkutane/intramuskuläre/intravenöse Injektion (subcutaneous/intramuscular/intravenous injection). Colloquially, people often just say "Spritze" ("eine Spritze bekommen" - to get a shot). "Impfung" (vaccination) is more specific and refers to the injection of a vaccine for immunization.
• Technology: Here the term is more technical. One speaks of Kraftstoffinjektion (fuel injection) or Direkteinspritzung (direct injection) in engines, and of Injektion in plastic injection molding. In everyday language, "Einspritzung" is more common for engines.
• Geology: A technical term rarely used in general conversation.

Compared to "Spritze" (the tool and colloquially the action), "Injektion" is the more formal, medical/technical term for the act of injecting.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Injektion"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion are (almost always) feminine in German. Think of: Die Aktion (action), die Station (station), die Reaktion (reaction)... and therefore die Injektion. Imagine the nurse (feminine - die Krankenschwester) giving the injection (die Injektion).

Meaning Mnemonic: In- means "into" (like in English) and "-jektion" comes from the Latin iacere (to throw, inject). So: Something (liquid) is injected into something.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words (Potential for Confusion):

• Infektion (die): (Infection) - Sounds similar, but means something completely different! Eine Infektion kann Fieber verursachen. - An infection can cause fever.
• Infusion (die): (Infusion - slow, often intravenous administration of larger amounts of fluid) Der Patient erhielt eine Infusion zur Flüssigkeitszufuhr. - The patient received an infusion for hydration.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Patienten nach der Injektion: "Na, hat es sehr wehgetan?"
Antwortet der Patient: "Nein, gar nicht. Aber beim Rausziehen der Nadel haben Sie meinen Pullover erwischt!"

Translation: The doctor asks the patient after the injection: "Well, did it hurt much?"
The patient replies: "No, not at all. But when you pulled the needle out, you caught my sweater!"

📜 Poem about the Injection

Ein kleiner Piks, oft kaum zu spüren,
soll gute Wirkung doch gebühren.
Die Injektion, mal schnell, mal sacht,
hat schon viel Linderung gebracht.
Ob Impfung, Schmerzmittel, Kontrast –
sie hilft dem Körper ohne Hast.
Ein Stich, der heilt, beschützt und nützt,
wenn Medizin den Leib unterstützt.

Translation:
A little prick, often barely felt,
should still bring good effects.
The injection, sometimes quick, sometimes gentle,
has already brought much relief.
Whether vaccine, painkiller, contrast –
it helps the body without haste.
A sting that heals, protects and benefits,
when medicine supports the body.

❓ Riddle

Ich bringe Flüssigkeit hinein,
mal groß, mal winzigklein.
Mal schütze ich vor Krankheitsschwall,
mal helf' ich bei 'nem technischen Fall.
Mit Nadel komm ich oft daher,
mein Name ist nicht allzu schwer.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I bring liquid inside,
Sometimes big, sometimes tiny.
Sometimes I protect from a flood of illness,
Sometimes I help in a technical case.
I often come with a needle,
My name is not too hard.

What am I?

Solution: Die Injektion (The injection)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition & Origin:

The word "Injektion" comes from the Latin verb inicere (also injicere), meaning "to throw into", "to introduce", or "to inject". It is composed of in- ("into") and iacere ("to throw"). The suffix "-ion" marks it as a noun denoting a process.

Related Terms:

• injizieren (verb): to perform the act of injection. Der Arzt injiziert das Medikament. (The doctor injects the medication.)
• Injektor (der, noun, masculine): the device that performs the injection (e.g., in technology). Der Injektor spritzt den Kraftstoff ein. (The injector injects the fuel.)