leper
die Aussätzige, die Aussätzigen
Loading your saved state.
leper
A person who has contracted leprosy. The term is historical and is now mainly used in religious or historical contexts.
Im biblischen Bericht wurde der Aussätzige aus der Stadt ausgeschlossen.
In the biblical account, the leper was expelled from the city.
leper
A person who has been excluded or despised by society. This meaning is usually used figuratively.
Nach dem Skandal galt er in seinem Verein lange als Aussätziger.
After the scandal, he was considered a leper in his club for a long time.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Aussätzigen |
| genitive | der Aussätzigen |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Aussätzige | die Aussätzigen |
| accusative | die Aussätzige | die Aussätzigen |
| dative | der Aussätzigen | den Aussätzigen |
| genitive | der Aussätzigen | der Aussätzigen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Der Aussätzige' (the leper) has strong historical and religious associations today. Outside such contexts, the term for a sick person can sound derogatory or stigmatizing.
Im Roman wird der Aussätzige als ausgestoßene Figur dargestellt.
In the novel, the leper is portrayed as an outcast.
The literal meaning can often be recognized from words such as 'Lepra' (leprosy), 'Aussatz' (leprosy), 'biblisch' (biblical), or 'Heilung' (healing). Accounts of medieval diseases also frequently use the term.
In der alten Legende heilte der Fremde den Aussätzigen vor den Toren der Stadt.
In the old legend, the stranger healed the leper outside the city gates.
In its figurative meaning, the word often appears in fixed patterns such as 'als Aussätziger gelten' (to be considered a leper), 'jemanden zum Aussätzigen machen' (to turn someone into a leper), or 'wie einen Aussätzigen behandeln' (to treat someone like a leper). In this case, social exclusion is meant, not an illness.
Nach seiner öffentlichen Kritik behandelten ihn viele Kollegen wie einen Aussätzigen.
After his public criticism, many colleagues treated him like a leper.
