A2 Collocation Neutral 2 Min. Lesezeit

get sick

يمرض

Wörtlich: to obtain illness

Use `get sick` to describe falling ill in almost any everyday or professional situation.

In 15 Sekunden

  • Used to describe the process of becoming physically unwell.
  • Works for everything from common colds to stomach issues.
  • Very common in both casual and professional daily English.

Bedeutung

This phrase describes the process of becoming unwell or catching a disease. It is the transition from feeling healthy to feeling poorly.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 6
1

Waking up with a sore throat

I think I'm starting to get sick.

I think I'm starting to get sick.

😊
2

Explaining an absence to a teacher

I couldn't finish the homework because I got sick last night.

I couldn't finish the homework because I got sick last night.

👔
3

Texting a friend to cancel plans

Hey, I can't come tonight, I got sick out of nowhere!

Hey, I can't come tonight, I got sick out of nowhere!

😊
🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

While 'sick' in the UK often specifically means 'vomiting,' in American English, 'get sick' is a broad term for any illness. It became the dominant expression because it is short and functional. Culturally, saying 'I'm getting sick' is often a polite way to decline social invitations without giving too much detail.

💡

The 'Gotten' Difference

In American English, people often say 'I've gotten sick.' In British English, they usually say 'I've got sick' or 'I've fallen ill.'

⚠️

Don't be too specific

In English culture, you don't need to explain exactly *how* you are sick (like details about your stomach). Just saying 'I got sick' is enough and more polite.

In 15 Sekunden

  • Used to describe the process of becoming physically unwell.
  • Works for everything from common colds to stomach issues.
  • Very common in both casual and professional daily English.

What It Means

Get sick is your go-to phrase for when your body stops cooperating. It covers everything from a tiny sniffle to a full-blown flu. It describes the moment you start feeling unwell. Think of it as the 'entry point' to being ill. You aren't just sick; you are *becoming* sick.

How To Use It

Use it like a normal verb phrase. You can say I'm getting sick if you feel a tickle in your throat. Use I got sick for something that happened yesterday. It is very flexible with time. You can even use it for motion sickness. 'I get sick on boats' is a classic traveler's warning. It is simple, direct, and very common.

When To Use It

You can use this almost anywhere. Tell your boss you got sick over the weekend. Tell your friend you can't go out because you're getting sick. It works for physical illnesses like colds or stomach bugs. It is the most natural way to describe falling ill in English. It sounds much more relaxed than saying 'I have contracted a malady.'

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using it for long-term, chronic conditions. You don't usually get sick with a permanent disability. Also, be careful in very formal medical reports. Doctors might use 'became ill' or 'presented symptoms' instead. If you are talking about mental health, get sick might sound a bit vague. Usually, it refers to your physical body feeling bad. Don't use it if you just mean you're tired!

Cultural Background

In English-speaking cultures, people value their health but hate being dramatic. Get sick is the perfect middle ground. It is honest without being too graphic. In the US, sick is the standard word for any illness. In the UK, people might say get ill more often. However, everyone understands get sick. It’s a universal part of the human experience.

Common Variations

  • Get a cold: Specifically for sniffles.
  • Get the flu: For the heavy-duty fever.
  • Get nauseous: When your stomach feels funny.
  • Get sick to my stomach: A common way to say you feel like vomiting.
  • Falling sick: A slightly more poetic or old-fashioned version.

Nutzungshinweise

The phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any register. In American English, 'gotten sick' is the preferred perfect tense, while 'got sick' is used in British English.

💡

The 'Gotten' Difference

In American English, people often say 'I've gotten sick.' In British English, they usually say 'I've got sick' or 'I've fallen ill.'

⚠️

Don't be too specific

In English culture, you don't need to explain exactly *how* you are sick (like details about your stomach). Just saying 'I got sick' is enough and more polite.

💬

Sick vs. Ill

In the UK, if you say 'I was sick,' people might think you actually vomited. In the US, it just means you had a cold or felt bad.

Beispiele

6
#1 Waking up with a sore throat
😊

I think I'm starting to get sick.

I think I'm starting to get sick.

Used when you feel the first symptoms appearing.

#2 Explaining an absence to a teacher
👔

I couldn't finish the homework because I got sick last night.

I couldn't finish the homework because I got sick last night.

A simple, honest explanation for missing a deadline.

#3 Texting a friend to cancel plans
😊

Hey, I can't come tonight, I got sick out of nowhere!

Hey, I can't come tonight, I got sick out of nowhere!

Informal way to say you suddenly feel unwell.

#4 Talking about travel problems
😄

I always get sick if I eat spicy food too late.

I always get sick if I eat spicy food too late.

Describes a recurring reaction to something.

#5 Expressing concern for a partner
💭

Please stay home, I don't want you to get sick too.

Please stay home, I don't want you to get sick too.

Shows care and worry for someone else's health.

#6 Professional email to a manager
💼

I've unfortunately gotten sick and will be taking a medical leave today.

I've unfortunately gotten sick and will be taking a medical leave today.

Uses 'gotten' (US) or 'become' for a slightly more professional tone.

Teste dich selbst

Choose the correct form of the phrase for the past tense.

I stayed home yesterday because I ___.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: got sick

We use 'got' because the action happened in the past (yesterday).

Complete the sentence to warn someone.

Wear a coat or you will ___.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: get sick

After 'will', we use the base form of the verb phrase.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality of 'Get Sick'

Casual

Talking to family

I feel like I'm getting sick.

Neutral

Daily workplace/school

He got sick over the weekend.

Formal

Medical/Legal

The patient became ill.

When to say 'Get Sick'

Get Sick
🏢

At the Office

I need to go home, I'm getting sick.

On a Boat

I get sea-sick easily.

❄️

Winter Season

Everyone is getting sick right now.

🍣

After bad food

I got sick from that sushi.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It means to become unwell or to start suffering from an illness like a cold or flu. For example, I hope I don't get sick before my vacation.

Yes, be sick describes the state of being ill, while get sick describes the moment you start feeling bad. You get sick on Monday and then you are sick for the rest of the week.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. You can write, I have unfortunately gotten sick and cannot attend the meeting.

No, it is a standard English collocation used by everyone from children to professors. It is neutral in formality.

The past tense is got sick. For example, He got sick after the party.

No, it can mean a cold, the flu, food poisoning, or even motion sickness. It is a very broad term.

Usually no. Get sick refers to physical health. If you are sad, you would say get depressed or feel down.

Fall ill is much more formal and less common in daily conversation. Get sick is what people actually say to their friends.

You usually get sick with a specific disease, like get sick with the flu. You say get sick to my stomach for nausea.

You can use it for motion. For example, I get sick on planes means you feel nauseous during flights.

Verwandte Redewendungen

come down with

To start to suffer from a minor illness like a cold.

under the weather

Feeling slightly sick or not as well as usual.

catch a bug

To get a minor infection or virus.

feel poorly

A British expression for feeling unwell.

War das hilfreich?
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!

Starte kostenlos mit dem Sprachenlernen

Kostenlos Loslegen