German word

Pflege

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpfleːgə/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncare

Example

Danke für die Pflege meines Hundes.

Thank you for taking care of my dog.

Illustration for Pflege (care)

More examples

Die tägliche Pflege nimmt viel Zeit in Anspruch.

Daily care takes a lot of time.

Core concept

Regular hands-on attention keeps a person, animal, or object in good condition.

Common phrases

  • tägliche Pflege

    daily care

  • intensive Pflege

    intensive care

Similar words

Betreuung: Ongoing supervision and help with daily needs, especially for dependents.
Hilfe: Brief assistance given when someone is having trouble.
Unterstützung: Practical help or advice that supports progress toward a goal.
Behandlung: Medical care intended to heal illness, treat injury, or ease symptoms.

Definition in German

Pflege bezeichnet das Versorgen und Unterstützen von Menschen, Tieren oder Dingen, damit ihr Zustand oder ihre Gesundheit erhalten bleibt.

Word origin

Pflege derives from the German verb pflegen, from Middle High German phlegen, meaning to care for or maintain.

Usage tips

  • Pflege is feminine, so the definite article is die, and it is often used without a plural when referring to care in general.

Other meanings

  • caregivingnoun
  • maintenancenoun
  • nursingnoun

Opposites

  • Vernachlässigungneglectnoun

Related words

  • Pflegekraftcare workernoun
  • Pflegeplancare plannoun

Word lists with this word