German for English speakers Hospital · Lesson 3

Sickness

Illness in German — Wenn du Fieber hast, solltest du nicht weggehen (If you have a fever, you shouldn't leave) — with conditional advice.

Conversation

  1. Yennifer Yennifer

    Wenn du Fieber hast, solltest du nicht gehen.

    If you have a fever, you shouldn't leave.

    Tip: <solltest> = lit. should, but this is a strong recommendation

  2. Honey Honey

    Aber ich hab doch gar kein Fieber.

    But I don't have any fever.

    Tip: <gar kein> = is a strong indicator and means not at all.

  3. Yennifer Yennifer

    Ach echt, du bist also nicht krank?

    But how? Aren't you sick?

    Tip: <nur ein bisschen> = lit. only a little

  4. Honey Honey

    Doch, aber es ist nur ein bisschen Husten.

    Yes, but it is only a little cough.

    Tip: <Doch> means yes, but when replying to a negative question.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'I have a fever' in German?

Ich habe Fieber. Note: no article. Same for ich habe Husten (cough), ich habe Schnupfen (head cold).

What does solltest du nicht mean?

'You shouldn't' — Konjunktiv II (subjunctive) of sollen. Polite advice or recommendation.

German conditional structure?

Wenn + clause, ... + main clause. Note: after wenn, verb goes to the end. Wenn du Fieber hast (verb at end), ... bleib zu Hause.

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