corona
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COVID / coronavirus
A colloquial short form for the pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, or for the disease COVID-19 itself.
Wegen Corona mussten viele Geschäfte monatelang schließen.
Because of COVID, many shops had to close for months.
The word comes from the Latin 'corona' meaning 'wreath' or 'crown'. This basic meaning helps explain the different uses: the halo of rays around the sun, the 'crown' of a flower, or the shape of the coronavirus.
Die dornige Corona der Pflanze schützt die Blüte.
The thorny corona of the plant protects the flower.
The meaning of 'Corona' (corona/COVID) is always clear from context. Pay attention to signal words: 'Virus' (virus) and 'Pandemie' (pandemic) point to the disease, 'Sonne' (sun) and 'Finsternis' (eclipse) to astronomy, and 'Zigarre' (cigar) to the smoking product.
Während der Sonnenfinsternis konnte man die Corona gut beobachten.
During the solar eclipse, the corona could be observed clearly.
In the meaning of the pandemic, 'Corona' (COVID/coronavirus) is a colloquial short form. In official or scientific texts, the terms 'COVID-19' or 'SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie' (SARS-CoV-2 pandemic) are more commonly used.
Die Regeln während Corona haben sich oft geändert.
The rules during COVID changed often.
In connection with the disease, the preposition 'an' with the dative is often used to express becoming ill with something. To give a reason, 'wegen' (because of) is very common.
Leider ist er an Corona erkrankt.
Unfortunately, he came down with COVID.
epidemic
'die Epidemie' and 'die Corona' can be confused when talking about diseases. 'Epidemie' is a general word for a disease outbreak that occurs strongly in a particular area. 'Corona' is colloquial and, in this context, refers to the COVID-19 disease or the pandemic caused by the coronavirus. So the difference is: 'Epidemie' describes a type of spread, while 'Corona' names a specific disease or the well-known Corona period. In factual texts, people are more likely to say 'COVID-19' or 'Corona-Pandemie'; 'die Corona' sounds colloquial.
Während der Corona blieben viele Menschen zu Hause und arbeiteten online.
During COVID, many people stayed at home and worked online.
Die Behörde warnt vor einer Epidemie, weil sich die Krankheit schnell ausbreitet.
The authority warns of an epidemic because the disease is spreading quickly.