Feeling unwell (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Feeling unwell
Essential vocabulary
Body parts and health terms
Understanding body parts and health terms is fundamental for communicating about illness in German. These vocabulary items form the foundation for describing symptoms and seeking medical help.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| der Arzt (m) / die Ärztin (f) | doctor |
| der Bauch (m) | stomach |
| das Bein (nt) | leg |
| das Fieber (nt) | temperature |
| das Knie (nt) | knee |
| der Rücken (m) | back |
| die Schmerzen (m, pl) | pains |
| gebrochen | broken |
| der Durst (m) haben | to be thirsty |
| (sich) verletzen | to injure (oneself) |
Common symptoms and feelings
| German | English |
|---|---|
| krank | ill/sick |
| müde | tired |
| warm | hot |
| die Kopfschmerzen (pl) | headache |
| das tut weh | that hurts |
| nicht gut | not well |
When talking about health problems in German, you'll often use these vocabulary items in specific patterns. For example, "Ich habe Kopfschmerzen" (I have a headache) uses the pattern haben + symptoms.
Example sentences:
- Ich bin immer müde. (I'm always tired.)
- Mir ist zu warm. (I feel too hot.)
- Mein Rücken tut weh. (My back hurts.)
Useful phrases for expressing illness
Describing how you feel
When you need to explain that you're unwell, these phrases will help you communicate clearly with doctors, teachers, or friends. Learning these expressions will enable you to seek help when needed and explain your condition accurately.
- Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. (I have a headache.)
- Ich bin immer müde. (I'm always tired.)
- Mir ist zu warm. (I feel hot.)
- Ich fühle mich krank. (I feel ill.)
- Ich fühle mich nicht wohl. (I feel unwell.)
- Es geht mir nicht gut. (I don't feel well.)
Asking about problems
These question forms are essential for showing concern or getting information when someone appears unwell:
- Was ist los? (What's wrong?)
- Wie ist das passiert? (How did that happen?)
- Wie ist das geschehen? (How did that happen?)
Example conversation:
- A: Was ist los? (What's wrong?)
- B: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. (I have a headache.)
- A: Das tut weh. (That hurts.)
Grammar patterns
Understanding the grammatical structures for expressing health problems is crucial for accurate communication in German.
Expressing pain and illness
German uses several different constructions to talk about health:
- Ich habe + [symptom]: Ich habe Fieber (I have a fever)
- Mir ist + [adjective]: Mir ist schlecht (I feel sick)
- Ich bin + [adjective]: Ich bin krank (I am ill)
- [Body part] tut weh: Mein Bein tut weh (My leg hurts)
Apologising for accidents
When you've accidentally hurt someone, you can express your apology appropriately:
- Ich habe dich verletzt. Entschuldigung! (I've hurt you. Sorry!)
Translation practice
German to English:
- Ich bin nicht oft krank.
- Heute habe ich Kopfschmerzen.
English to German:
- My sister can't sleep and is always tired.
- At the weekend my father had backache.
Answers:
German to English:
- I am not often ill.
- Today I have a headache.
English to German:
- Meine Schwester kann nicht schlafen und ist immer müde.
- Am Wochenende hatte mein Vater Rückenschmerzen.
Exam tips
Exam Preparation Strategies:
- Listen carefully to audio exercises - they often test your understanding of health vocabulary in context
- Learn the gender of body parts as this affects which articles you use
- Practice question formation - questions about health problems are common in speaking assessments
- Remember different ways to express the same idea: "Ich bin krank" and "Mir geht es nicht gut" both mean you're unwell
Key Points to Remember:
- Body parts have different genders - learn der Rücken, das Bein, die Hand with their articles
- "Ich habe + symptom" is the most common way to describe health problems
- Questions starting with "Wie" and "Was" help you ask about health issues
- "Das tut weh" is a useful phrase meaning "that hurts"
- Context matters - the same symptoms might be described differently depending on the situation