das Elixier
elixir
A usually liquid medicine or preparation believed to have healing or strengthening properties.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt verschrieb ihm ein Elixier gegen seine Beschwerden.
The doctor prescribed him an elixir for his symptoms.
das Elixier
elixir
das Elixier, die Elixiere
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Meanings
das Elixier
elixir
In alchemy and older stories, a special liquid with magical powers, for example one that can heal or extend life.
EXAMPLE
Der Alchemist suchte nach einem Elixier, das ewiges Leben schenken sollte.
The alchemist searched for an elixir that was supposed to grant eternal life.
das Elixier
elixir
Something that has an invigorating, strengthening, or especially valuable effect.
EXAMPLE
Für viele Menschen ist Musik das Elixier des Lebens.
For many people, music is the elixir of life.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Elixier, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Elixiere |
| genitive | des Elixiers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Elixier | die Elixiere |
| accusative | das Elixier | die Elixiere |
| dative | dem Elixier | den Elixieren |
| genitive | des Elixiers | der Elixiere |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Register and style
'Elixier' (elixir) is an elevated, often literary word. It is especially common in fairy-tale, historical, or figurative texts and sounds rather unusual in everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Im Roman trank die Heldin ein geheimnisvolles Elixier.
In the novel, the heroine drank a mysterious elixir.
Context clue
Signal words such as 'einnehmen' (to take), 'verschreiben' (to prescribe), or 'gegen Beschwerden' (for symptoms) point to a medicine. Expressions such as 'Elixier des Lebens' (elixir of life) or 'ein wahres Elixier' (a true elixir) usually indicate a figurative use.
EXAMPLE
Die Apothekerin erklärte, wie das Elixier einzunehmen sei.
The pharmacist explained how to take the elixir.
Nach dem langen Winter war die erste Frühlingssonne ein wahres Elixier.
After the long winter, the first spring sunshine was a true elixir.
Typical collocations
When used to mean a medicine, 'Elixier' (elixir) often appears with information about its effect or purpose: 'ein heilendes Elixier' (a healing elixir), 'ein stärkendes Elixier' (a strengthening elixir), or 'ein Elixier gegen Beschwerden' (an elixir for symptoms).
EXAMPLE
Die alte Heilerin bereitete ein stärkendes Elixier gegen die Erschöpfung zu.
The old healer prepared a strengthening elixir for exhaustion.
In real life
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