die
Überdosis
💊 What exactly is an 'Überdosis'?
Die Überdosis (noun, feminine) means an overdose. It refers to a dose of a medication, drug, or other substance that exceeds the usual or recommended amount and has potentially harmful or even lethal effects on the body.
It signifies the intake or administration of too large a quantity. The term is almost exclusively used in the context of negative, dangerous consequences.
🚨 Attention: An Überdosis is a medical emergency!
Article rules for der, die, and das
-sis → always feminine.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Überdosis
The noun 'Überdosis' is feminine. The article is 'die'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Überdosis |
| Genitive | der | Überdosis |
| Dative | der | Überdosis |
| Accusative | die | Überdosis |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Überdosen |
| Genitive | der | Überdosen |
| Dative | den | Überdosen |
| Accusative | die | Überdosen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Leider starb der Patient an einer Überdosis Schmerzmittel.
(Unfortunately, the patient died from an overdose of painkillers.) - Die Ärzte warnten vor der Gefahr versehentlicher Überdosen bei Kindern.
(The doctors warned about the danger of accidental overdoses in children.) - Nach der Einnahme einer Überdosis wurde er sofort ins Krankenhaus gebracht.
(After taking an overdose, he was immediately taken to the hospital.)
🗣️ How to use 'Überdosis'?
The term 'Überdosis' is mainly used in medical or health contexts, often related to:
- Medikamenten (Medications): An accidental or intentional intake of too high a dose.
- Drogen (Drugs): Consumption of an amount the body cannot handle.
- Rarely metaphorical: Sometimes used metaphorically for too much of something (e.g., „eine Überdosis Informationen“ - an overdose of information), but the medical connotation remains dominant.
Typical collocations include:
- an einer Überdosis sterben (to die from an overdose)
- eine Überdosis nehmen / einnehmen (to take an overdose)
- vor einer Überdosis warnen (to warn about an overdose)
- eine versehentliche / absichtliche Überdosis (an accidental / intentional overdose)
⚠️ It's a serious word and shouldn't be used lightly.
🧠 Mnemonics for Überdosis
Article Mnemonic: Think: The deadly Dose is 'die' Überdosis (sounds like 'die', as in death). The feminine article fits the danger.
Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix 'über-' means 'over' or 'too much' in German. So, an Über-Dosis is simply an 'over-dose'. Easy!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Similar Terms (Synonyms)
- Intoxikation: (Medical term for poisoning, often used synonymously)
- Vergiftung: (General term for poisoning by toxins)
- Überdosierung: (Verbal noun, referring to the act of dosing too high)
Opposite Terms (Antonyms)
- Unterdosis: (An underdose, too small a dose, often ineffective)
- Therapeutische Dosis: (The recommended, effective, and safe dose)
- Placebo: (A dose with no active ingredient)
Potential Confusion
Dosis: Simply means a 'dose' or quantity of a substance, without the implication of 'too much'. An Überdosis is a specific type of Dosis.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Nehmen Sie Ihre Medikamente genau nach Vorschrift?"
Patient: "Nein, ich nehme immer eine kleine Überdosis Hoffnung dazu!"
Translation:
The doctor asks the patient: "Do you take your medication exactly as prescribed?"
Patient: "No, I always add a small overdose of hope!"
📜 Poem of Caution
Die Dosis macht's, so lehrt man's fein,
Ein bisschen hilft, zu viel bringt Pein.
Die Grenze schmal, das Maß bedacht,
Sonst droht die finst're Überdosis-Nacht.
Drum Vorsicht walten, klug und klar,
Sonst ist das Ende plötzlich nah.
Translation:
The dose makes the difference, they teach so well,
A little helps, too much brings hell.
The line is thin, the measure thought,
Or else the dark overdose-night is caught.
So practice caution, wise and clear,
Or else the end is suddenly near.
🕵️♀️ Little Riddle
Ich bin zu viel, bin nie gewollt,
hab' manchen schon ins Grab gerollt.
Man nimmt mich ein aus Not, Gier, Wahn,
doch selten führt's auf gute Bahn.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am too much, I am never wanted,
I've rolled many into their grave, haunted.
People take me in out of need, greed, delusion,
but rarely does it lead to a good conclusion.
What am I?
🧩 Further Information
Word Composition:
- über-: A prefix meaning 'over', 'too much', 'excessive', or 'beyond a limit'.
- Dosis: The noun 'Dosis' comes from the Greek word 'dosis' (δόσις), meaning 'a giving' or 'portion'.
So, 'Überdosis' literally means 'over-giving' or 'over-portion'. The term carries a strong negative connotation and always implies danger.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Überdosis?
The word Überdosis is always feminine. The correct article is die: die Überdosis.