A2 Collocation Neutro 3 min de leitura

Fieber haben

To have fever

Literalmente: Fever have

Use `Fieber haben` to explain you're sick and need to stay home and rest.

Em 15 segundos

  • Used to state you have a high body temperature.
  • Always use the verb 'haben', never 'sein'.
  • Usually used without an article like 'a' or 'the'.

Significado

This is the most common way to say you have a high body temperature because you're sick. It's simple, direct, and used by everyone from doctors to toddlers.

Exemplos-chave

3 de 6
1

Calling in sick to work

Ich kann heute nicht kommen, ich habe Fieber.

I can't come in today, I have a fever.

💼
2

A mother checking on her child

Komm mal her, ich glaube, du hast Fieber.

Come here, I think you have a fever.

💭
3

Texting a friend to cancel plans

Sorry, ich liege mit Fieber im Bett. Wir müssen das Treffen verschieben.

Sorry, I'm in bed with a fever. We have to postpone the meeting.

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

In Germany, having a fever is a socially accepted 'get out of jail free' card for work or school. Germans generally prefer natural remedies like 'Wadenwickel' (cold leg wraps) alongside medicine to bring a fever down. It's also worth noting that Germans track their health metrics precisely in Celsius.

💡

No Article Needed

Don't say 'ein Fieber'. Just say 'ich habe Fieber'. It sounds much more natural to native ears.

⚠️

Celsius vs Fahrenheit

If you tell a German you have a fever of 100, they'll think you're boiling! Always convert to Celsius (e.g., 38.5°C).

Em 15 segundos

  • Used to state you have a high body temperature.
  • Always use the verb 'haben', never 'sein'.
  • Usually used without an article like 'a' or 'the'.

What It Means

Fieber haben is your go-to phrase when you feel like a human radiator. It simply means having a fever. In German, you don't 'be' feverish; you 'have' the fever. It is a state of being unwell. You use it when your forehead is hot. You use it when you feel those cold shivers. It is a very literal and physical expression.

How To Use It

Using this phrase is incredibly easy. You just conjugate the verb haben to match the person. For example, ich habe Fieber or er hat Fieber. Notice something missing? In English, we say 'a' fever. In German, you usually skip the article. Just say Fieber. If it is really bad, add an adjective. You can say ich habe hohes Fieber. If it is just a little, say ich habe leichtes Fieber. It fits perfectly into basic sentence structures.

When To Use It

You will use this in many daily situations. Use it when calling your boss to stay home. Tell your friends why you are skipping the party. Use it at the pharmacy or the doctor's office. It is the standard way to describe this symptom. If you are texting a friend, it explains why you are slow to reply. It is a phrase that demands sympathy and rest.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this to mean you are excited. In English, we might have 'Bieber fever' or 'spring fever.' In German, Fieber haben is almost always medical. If you want to say you are excited, use vor Vorfreude platzen. Also, do not say ich bin Fieber. That sounds like you have literally turned into a fever. Stick to haben to keep things clear.

Cultural Background

Germans take their health and recovery very seriously. If you tell a German colleague ich habe Fieber, they will tell you to go home. There is no 'powering through' a fever in German office culture. It is seen as a sign that your body needs total rest. Also, remember that Germans use Celsius. If you tell a doctor your temperature is 101, they will be very confused! A fever in Germany usually starts around 38.5 degrees Celsius.

Common Variations

You will often hear Fieber messen, which means to take your temperature. If the fever is gone, you are fieberfrei. People might ask Hast du Temperatur? as a softer way to ask. This literally means 'Do you have temperature?' but implies a slight fever. Another common one is Schüttelfrost, which refers to the chills that come with it. Keep these in your back pocket for your next pharmacy visit.

Notas de uso

This is a neutral, everyday phrase. Avoid using the article 'ein' and remember to use the verb 'haben' (to have) rather than 'sein' (to be).

💡

No Article Needed

Don't say 'ein Fieber'. Just say 'ich habe Fieber'. It sounds much more natural to native ears.

⚠️

Celsius vs Fahrenheit

If you tell a German you have a fever of 100, they'll think you're boiling! Always convert to Celsius (e.g., 38.5°C).

💬

The Wadenwickel Secret

If you tell a German grandma you have `Fieber`, she might suggest `Wadenwickel`. These are wet, cold towels wrapped around your calves to lower your temperature!

Exemplos

6
#1 Calling in sick to work
💼

Ich kann heute nicht kommen, ich habe Fieber.

I can't come in today, I have a fever.

A standard and professional way to report an illness.

#2 A mother checking on her child
💭

Komm mal her, ich glaube, du hast Fieber.

Come here, I think you have a fever.

Used here to express concern for a loved one.

#3 Texting a friend to cancel plans
😊

Sorry, ich liege mit Fieber im Bett. Wir müssen das Treffen verschieben.

Sorry, I'm in bed with a fever. We have to postpone the meeting.

Very common way to explain an absence in a casual way.

#4 At the doctor's office
👔

Seit gestern Abend habe ich hohes Fieber.

I've had a high fever since yesterday evening.

Adding 'hohes' (high) helps the doctor understand the severity.

#5 A humorous observation about a sick friend
😄

Du hast wohl Fieber, wenn du denkst, dass das eine gute Idee ist!

You must have a fever if you think that's a good idea!

A rare figurative use implying someone is acting crazy/delirious.

#6 Checking in with a partner
🤝

Hast du immer noch Fieber oder geht es dir besser?

Do you still have a fever or are you feeling better?

A caring question used during recovery.

Teste-se

Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.

Mein Sohn ___ leider hohes Fieber.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: hat

In German, you 'have' (hat) a fever, you don't 'are' (ist) it.

Complete the sentence with the correct noun.

Ich fühle mich schlecht und ich habe ___.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Fieber

The phrase 'Fieber haben' is the standard way to say you have a fever.

🎉 Pontuação: /2

Recursos visuais

Formality of 'Fieber haben'

Informal

Texting a friend about being sick.

Hab Fieber, bleibe im Bett.

Neutral

Standard use with colleagues or family.

Ich habe Fieber.

Formal

Talking to a doctor or medical professional.

Ich habe seit drei Tagen Fieber.

Where to use 'Fieber haben'

Fieber haben
🏥

Doctor's Office

Describing symptoms.

📞

Workplace

Calling in sick.

🏠

Home

Caring for family.

💊

Pharmacy

Buying medicine.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Usually, no. You just say ich habe Fieber. Adding ein sounds like you are translating directly from English.

Yes, you can, but it is less common. Ich habe Fieber is the standard way to express it.

You say hohes Fieber. For example: Das Kind hat sehr hohes Fieber.

It is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your boss without changing anything.

If your temperature is back to normal, you are fieberfrei (fever-free).

Simply ask: Hast du Fieber? or more formally Haben Sie Fieber?.

It means 'to take one's temperature'. For example: Ich muss mal kurz Fieber messen.

Only in compound words like Fußballfieber (soccer fever). On its own, it almost always means you are sick.

Not really. People might say Ich glühe (I am glowing/burning up) if they feel very hot.

Usually, anything above 38.5°C is called Fieber. Between 37.5°C and 38.4°C is called erhöhte Temperatur.

Frases relacionadas

Fieber messen (to take temperature)

Erhöhte Temperatur (slightly elevated temperature)

Sich krankmelden (to call in sick)

Das Bett hüten (to stay in bed/be bedridden)

Wadenwickel machen (to apply cold leg compresses)

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