coronavirus
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coronavirus
In everyday language, a specific term for the virus SARS-CoV-2, which triggered the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wegen des Coronavirus mussten wir monatelang eine Maske tragen.
Because of the coronavirus, we had to wear a mask for months.
The word is made up of 'Corona' (corona) and 'Virus' (virus). 'Corona' is Latin for 'wreath' or 'crown'. The name comes from the fact that these viruses have a wreath-like envelope under the microscope.
Die stachelige Oberfläche gab dem Coronavirus seinen Namen.
The spiky surface gave the coronavirus its name.
In everyday language, especially since the 2020 pandemic, the word is almost always shortened to 'Corona' (corona). People say 'wegen Corona' (because of corona), 'trotz Corona' (despite corona), or 'der Corona-Test' (the corona test).
Die Schule war wegen Corona für mehrere Wochen geschlossen.
The school was closed for several weeks because of corona.
When people in everyday life after 2020 talk about 'dem Coronavirus' (the coronavirus), they almost always mean the specific virus SARS-CoV-2. The more general, scientific meaning (virus family) is usually used in the plural ('Coronaviren' — coronaviruses) or with an added qualifier.
Die Impfung schützt vor einem schweren Verlauf mit dem Coronavirus.
The vaccination protects against a severe course of illness with the coronavirus.
Common verbs in connection with the coronavirus are 'sich anstecken mit' (to become infected with), 'sich testen lassen auf' (to get tested for), or 'geimpft sein gegen' (to be vaccinated against).
Er hat sich im Urlaub mit dem Coronavirus angesteckt.
He became infected with the coronavirus while on vacation.
virus
'das Virus' and 'das Coronavirus' both refer to pathogens. 'Virus' is the general term for many different pathogens. 'Coronavirus' is more specific: it means a virus from a particular virus family, and in everyday language often especially SARS-CoV-2. Learners may confuse the words because every coronavirus is a virus, but not every virus is a coronavirus. If the exact type is not important or not known, 'Virus' fits. If the topic is this specific group or COVID-19, 'Coronavirus' is more precise.
Nach dem Test wusste Paul, dass er sich mit dem Coronavirus angesteckt hatte.
After the test, Paul knew that he had been infected with the coronavirus.
Die Ärztin sagt, dass ein Virus die Erkältung ausgelöst hat.
The doctor says that a virus caused the cold.