schwere Krankheit
Serious illness
直訳: heavy illness
Use it to describe significant health issues while maintaining a respectful and professional distance.
15秒でわかる
- Refers to life-altering or chronic medical conditions.
- Respectful way to discuss health without oversharing details.
- Used in professional, medical, and personal contexts.
意味
This phrase refers to a health condition that is life-threatening, chronic, or requires intense medical treatment. It is the standard way to describe a 'serious illness' without necessarily naming the specific diagnosis.
主な例文
3 / 6Explaining an absence to a boss
Er konnte wegen einer schweren Krankheit nicht am Projekt teilnehmen.
He couldn't participate in the project due to a serious illness.
Discussing a family member with a friend
Meine Oma hat leider eine schwere Krankheit.
Unfortunately, my grandma has a serious illness.
Insurance policy discussion
Diese Versicherung deckt schwere Krankheiten ab.
This insurance covers serious illnesses.
文化的背景
In Germany, health privacy is protected by law and social norms. Using this phrase is a socially accepted way to signal a major life event without 'oversharing' personal medical data. It is often used in the media when a public figure steps back from duties.
The 'Schwer' Logic
In German, 'schwer' means both 'heavy' and 'difficult/serious'. Think of a serious illness as a 'heavy' weight on someone's life.
Don't over-dramatize
If you just have a bad cold, call it a 'starke Erkältung'. Using 'schwere Krankheit' for a cold will make people think you are in the hospital!
15秒でわかる
- Refers to life-altering or chronic medical conditions.
- Respectful way to discuss health without oversharing details.
- Used in professional, medical, and personal contexts.
What It Means
Schwere Krankheit is your go-to term for significant health issues. It implies something more than a common cold. Think of it as a 'heavy' burden on the body. It covers everything from chronic conditions to sudden, life-altering diagnoses. It is a respectful way to acknowledge health struggles.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a noun-adjective combination. It fits perfectly in sentences about insurance or medical leave. You can also use it when talking about family history. It sounds empathetic but remains factual. It avoids being overly dramatic while still showing gravity.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to explain an absence. It works well in professional emails to HR. Use it when discussing health insurance policies (Versicherung). It is also common in news reports or biographies. If a friend is going through a lot, this phrase shows you understand the weight of it.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a hangover or a sniffle. That would sound very sarcastic or confusing. Avoid it if you want to be very specific about a disease. It is a broad category, not a clinical diagnosis. Don't use it if the person prefers to keep things light. It can sound a bit 'heavy' for a casual coffee chat.
Cultural Background
Germans value their privacy, especially regarding health. Using schwere Krankheit allows someone to communicate gravity without sharing details. It is a linguistic shield that maintains dignity. Historically, it was a polite euphemism for cancer or heart disease. It reflects a culture that respects personal boundaries and medical confidentiality.
Common Variations
You might hear ernsthafte Erkrankung which is even more formal. In the plural, it becomes schwere Krankheiten. You can also say schwer erkrankt sein (to be seriously ill). Adding chronisch makes it chronische schwere Krankheit. These variations help you navigate different levels of medical urgency.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is neutral and safe for all levels of formality. Just ensure the adjective endings match the case (e.g., 'wegen einer schweren Krankheit' uses the dative case).
The 'Schwer' Logic
In German, 'schwer' means both 'heavy' and 'difficult/serious'. Think of a serious illness as a 'heavy' weight on someone's life.
Don't over-dramatize
If you just have a bad cold, call it a 'starke Erkältung'. Using 'schwere Krankheit' for a cold will make people think you are in the hospital!
The Obituary Code
If you read 'nach langer, schwerer Krankheit' in a German newspaper, it is almost always a respectful code for cancer.
例文
6Er konnte wegen einer schweren Krankheit nicht am Projekt teilnehmen.
He couldn't participate in the project due to a serious illness.
Professional and provides a valid reason without specific details.
Meine Oma hat leider eine schwere Krankheit.
Unfortunately, my grandma has a serious illness.
Shows emotional weight and seriousness.
Diese Versicherung deckt schwere Krankheiten ab.
This insurance covers serious illnesses.
Standard terminology in the insurance industry.
Hast du gehört? Lukas hat eine schwere Krankheit und braucht Ruhe.
Did you hear? Lukas has a serious illness and needs rest.
Informative but keeps the friend's privacy intact.
Männergrippe ist für manche eine schwere Krankheit!
Man-flu is a serious illness for some!
Uses the 'heavy' nature of the phrase to joke about minor colds.
Der Schauspieler verstarb nach langer, schwerer Krankheit.
The actor passed away after a long, serious illness.
A very common cliché used in obituaries.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase for a medical context.
Er leidet an einer ___ Krankheit.
After 'einer' (dative feminine), the adjective 'schwer' takes the '-en' ending.
Which adjective fits best for a life-threatening condition?
Krebs ist eine ___ Krankheit.
'Schwere' is the appropriate term for a serious condition like cancer.
🎉 スコア： /2
ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'schwere Krankheit'
Used with friends to explain a situation.
Er ist echt krank.
Standard way to describe the situation.
Eine schwere Krankheit haben.
Used in medical or legal documents.
Eine ernsthafte Erkrankung liegt vor.
When to say 'schwere Krankheit'
At the Office
Explaining long-term absence.
Insurance
Reading policy terms.
News/Media
Obituaries or health updates.
Doctor's Visit
Discussing family history.
よくある質問
10 問Yes, literally it does, but when paired with Krankheit, it translates to 'serious' or 'severe'.
Usually no. A broken leg is a Verletzung (injury). Schwere Krankheit implies a systemic illness like diabetes or cancer.
Be careful! In Germany, this can be seen as too nosy. It is better to wait for them to tell you.
Erkrankung is more medical and formal, while Krankheit is the general word for illness.
You would say: Ich habe eine schwere Krankheit.
Yes, doctors use it, though they often use more specific clinical terms when speaking to colleagues.
Yes, ernsthafte Krankheit is a perfect synonym and very common.
Yes, especially in insurance contexts: Versicherung gegen schwere Krankheiten (Insurance against serious illnesses).
A minor illness is often called a leichte Erkrankung or a Banalinfekt (medical slang for a simple cold).
It sounds serious. If you use it, people will react with genuine concern and sympathy.
関連フレーズ
chronisch krank (chronically ill)
unheilbar krank (terminally ill)
die Genesung (recovery)
das Attest (medical certificate)
ernsthafter Zustand (serious condition)
コメント (0)
ログインしてコメント無料で言語学習を始めよう
無料で始める