German Conversation · Level 4
88 words
German word
Virus
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈviːʁʊs/
Meaning
- neuter nounvirus
Example
Die Viren verbreiten sich schnell.
The viruses are spreading quickly.
More examples
Man kann sich durch Impfung vor einem Virus schützen.
One can protect oneself from a virus through vaccination.
Core concept
A tiny intruder gets inside a living cell or computer, makes copies of itself, and spreads through the host.
Common phrases
sich vor einem Virus schützen
protect oneself from a virus
ein Virus übertragen
transmit a virus
gegen ein Virus geimpft sein
be vaccinated against a virus
Similar words
Erreger: A disease-causing microorganism or parasite.
Bakterium: A single-celled organism that may cause infection under certain conditions.
Computervirus: A self-replicating malicious program that disrupts devices or corrupts data.
Keim: An informal term for a small organism that causes illness.
Definition in German
Virus bezeichnet ein sehr kleines biologisches Partikel oder einen Erreger, der Wirtszellen befällt; das Wort wird auch für schädliche Computerprogramme (Computer-Virus) verwendet.
Word origin
German Virus comes from Latin virus, meaning 'poison' or 'venom', and entered scientific usage for a disease-causing agent before extending to computer malware.
Usage tips
- Virus is neuter in German, so the definite article is das Virus and its plural is die Viren.
Related words
- Antivirenprogrammantivirus programnoun
- virulentvirulentadjective