die  Quarantäne

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kvaʁanˈtɛːnə/

🧐 What does "die Quarantäne" mean?

Die Quarantäne refers to a temporary isolation or separation of people, animals, or even objects to prevent or control the spread of infectious diseases. It is an officially ordered or recommended measure in the field of public health.

The term originates from the Italian "quaranta giorni" (= forty days), which traces back to the historical practice in 14th-century Venice of requiring arriving ships suspected of carrying the plague to anchor for 40 days.

There is only this one article and this one main meaning for the word. ⚠️ It is almost exclusively used in the singular form.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "die Quarantäne"

The word "Quarantäne" is a feminine noun. The article is "die".

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Behörden ordneten eine zweiwöchige Quarantäne für alle Einreisenden an.
   (The authorities ordered a two-week quarantine for all arrivals.)
2. Er musste wegen eines Kontakts zu einer infizierten Person in Quarantäne gehen.
   (He had to go into quarantine due to contact with an infected person.)
3. Während der Quarantäne ist es wichtig, soziale Kontakte zu meiden.
   (During the quarantine, it is important to avoid social contact.)
4. Die Aufhebung der Quarantäne wurde von vielen mit Erleichterung aufgenommen.
   (The lifting of the quarantine was met with relief by many.)

🗣️ How is "Quarantäne" used?

"Die Quarantäne" is primarily used in the context of public health, epidemics, and pandemics. It is a formal term often found in news reports, official directives, and medical discussions.

Typical phrases:

• in Quarantäne sein/gehen: to be in or go into isolation. (Example: Die ganze Familie ist in Quarantäne. - The whole family is in quarantine.)
• jemanden unter Quarantäne stellen: to place someone under quarantine (mandate isolation). (Example: Der Arzt stellte den Patienten unter Quarantäne. - The doctor placed the patient under quarantine.)
• die Quarantäne aufheben: to lift the quarantine. (Example: Nach 10 Tagen wurde die Quarantäne aufgehoben. - The quarantine was lifted after 10 days.)
• Quarantäne anordnen: to order a quarantine (official instruction). (Example: Das Gesundheitsamt hat Quarantäne angeordnet. - The public health office ordered a quarantine.)

In everyday language, people sometimes talk about "freiwillige Quarantäne" (voluntary quarantine) when someone self-isolates as a precaution.

Distinction: While Quarantäne usually refers to the isolation of potentially infected but not (yet) sick individuals, Isolierung (isolation) often refers to the separation of confirmed cases.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Quarantäne"

For the article "die": Many nouns ending in "-e" that are borrowed from other languages (especially Romance languages) are feminine in German, just like die Quarantäne. You could also think of a related concept like die Isolierung (isolation), which is also feminine.

For the meaning: Think of "Quarantäne" as a forced wait or pause (both conceptually feminine in German: die Wartezeit, die Pause). It's a pause from normal life while waiting for the danger of infection to pass.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but distinct terms:

• Die Ausgangssperre: (Curfew) Prohibition from leaving the house at certain times (often affects everyone).
• Das Kontaktverbot: (Contact ban) Restriction of social contacts, not necessarily complete isolation.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer eine Quarantäne gebraucht?

Er hatte einen Virus! 🦠💻

(Why did the computer need a quarantine? - It had a virus!)

📜 Poem about Quarantine

Die Tür bleibt zu, das Haus ist still,
Die Quarantäne hat ihr Ziel.
Gesundheit schützen, das ist klar,
Auch wenn die Zeit wird sonderbar.

Man zählt die Tage, wartet sehr,
Bis Freiheit winkt und noch viel mehr.
Die Vorsicht siegt, die Krankheit weicht,
Das Leben wird bald wieder leicht.

(The door stays shut, the house is still,
Quarantine achieves its will.
Protecting health, that much is clear,
Even though the time feels drear.

One counts the days, waits eagerly,
Till freedom beckons, wild and free.
Caution wins, the illness fades,
Life soon returns from darkened shades.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Zeit der Trennung, oft nicht frei gewählt,
Damit sich keine Krankheit weiter durch die Welt quält.
40 Tage war mein Ursprung, sagt man in Venedig einst,
Heute bin ich kürzer meist, wenn du zu Hause weinst (oder dich freust!).

Was bin ich? Lösung: Die Quarantäne

(I am a time of separation, often not freely chosen,
So that no illness further through the world is woven.
Forty days was my origin, they say in Venice old,
Today I'm often shorter, as your home story unfolds (in tears or joy!).

What am I?
Solution: Die Quarantäne (Quarantine))

💡 Other Information

Etymology: As mentioned, "Quarantäne" derives from the Italian quaranta giorni (forty days). This 40-day rule was introduced in 14th-century port cities like Venice and Ragusa (now Dubrovnik) to prevent the plague from being brought in by arriving ships. The number 40 might have also held religious or symbolic significance (e.g., 40 days of Lent, 40 days of the Great Flood).

Modern Application: Today, the duration of a Quarantäne is medically based and depends on the incubation period of the specific disease. It can be significantly shorter or sometimes longer than 40 days.