German word

krank

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁaŋk/

Meaning

  • adjectivesick

Example

Der kranke Schüler fehlt heute.

The sick student is absent today.

Illustration for krank (sick)

More examples

Ich fühle mich krank.

I feel sick.

Core concept

A person whose body is unwell and lacks the strength for normal activity, often needing rest.

Common phrases

  • krank sein

    be sick

  • sich krank fühlen

    feel sick

Similar words

übel: Feeling nauseated and likely to vomit.
schlapp: Feeling very weak, limp, and lacking energy.
ansteckend: Able to spread an illness to other people.

Definition in German

Durch eine Erkrankung gesundheitlich beeinträchtigt oder nicht wohl

Word origin

Krank descends from Old High German kranc, which meant weak or sick, and its illness sense developed through Middle High German.

Usage tips

  • In attributive use, the adjective takes an ending, as in "der kranke Schüler", but after "sein" it stays unchanged, as in "Der Schüler ist krank".

Other meanings

  • unwelladjective
  • sicklyadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word