German word

Schnupfen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃnʊpfən/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncold

Example

Ich habe seit gestern einen Schnupfen.

I've had a cold since yesterday.

Illustration for Schnupfen (cold)

More examples

Durch kalte Luft habe ich einen Schnupfen bekommen.

Because of the cold air, I got a cold.

Core concept

A nose that keeps sniffing and needs repeated tissues because it is runny or blocked.

Common phrases

  • einen Schnupfen bekommen

    get a cold

  • leichter Schnupfen

    mild cold

  • Schnupfen und Halsschmerzen

    cold and sore throat

Similar words

Erkältung: A viral illness causing symptoms in the throat, nose, and sometimes the whole body.
Rhinitis: A medical term for persistent nasal inflammation with congestion or watery discharge.
Schniefnase: A casual term for a person with a runny nose who repeatedly sniffs.
Nasennebenhöhlenentzündung: A sinus infection marked by facial pain and severe nasal blockage.

Definition in German

Schnupfen bezeichnet das Symptom einer laufenden oder verstopften Nase mit vermehrter Nasensekretion, meist im Zusammenhang mit einer harmlosen Erkältung.

Word origin

The noun Schnupfen is derived from the verb schnupfen, which means to sniff or snuffle and has old Germanic roots.

Usage tips

  • Schnupfen is masculine, so einen Schnupfen appears after haben when an article is used; Ich habe Schnupfen commonly omits the article.

Other meanings

  • runny nosenoun

Related words

  • schnupfenanfälligprone to coldsadjective
  • Schnupfenvirencold virusesnoun

Word lists with this word