German word

Koma

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkoːma/

Meaning

  • neuter nouncoma

Example

Die Ärzte konnten ihn nach dem Unfall nicht aus dem Koma wecken.

The doctors couldn't wake him from his coma after the accident.

Illustration for Koma (coma)

More examples

Nach dem Schlaganfall lag sie lange im Koma.

After the stroke, she was in a coma for a long time.

Core concept

A person lies in a profound, unresponsive state, cut off from the outside world while the body remains alive.

Common phrases

  • ins Koma fallen

    fall into a coma

  • im Koma liegen

    be in a coma

Similar words

Bewusstlosigkeit: A state of lost consciousness with no reaction to outside stimuli.
Ohnmacht: A sudden, short-lived loss of consciousness that causes a person to fall.
Narkose: A medically induced state that temporarily removes awareness and pain during surgery.
Wachkoma: A long-term disorder of consciousness with little purposeful response, even when the eyes open.

Definition in German

Zustand tiefer Bewusstlosigkeit, bei dem eine Person nicht auf äußere Reize reagiert.

Word origin

German Koma comes through Latin coma from Ancient Greek koma, meaning deep sleep, and entered modern medical vocabulary with its current sense.

Usage tips

  • Koma is neuter, so standard phrases include im Koma liegen, ins Koma fallen, and aus dem Koma erwachen.

Opposites

Related words

  • komatöscomatoseadjective
  • Komapatientcoma patientnoun
  • Komazustandcomatose statenoun

Word lists with this word