cold
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cold
A common, usually harmless infectious illness of the upper respiratory tract, often associated with symptoms such as coughing, a runny nose, and a sore throat.
Ich kann heute nicht kommen, ich habe mir eine starke Erkältung eingefangen.
I can't come today; I've caught a bad cold.
The noun 'die Erkältung' (the cold) comes from the reflexive verb 'sich erkälten' (to catch a cold). Both words originate from the adjective 'kalt' (cold).
Zieh dir eine Jacke an, damit du dich nicht erkältest.
Put on a jacket so you don't catch a cold.
In everyday language, 'die Erkältung' (the cold) is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'haben' (have), 'bekommen' (get), 'sich holen' (catch), or 'auskurieren' (fully recover from) a cold.
Ich glaube, ich bekomme eine Erkältung.
I think I'm getting a cold.
To express that you are getting sick, you use the reflexive verb 'sich erkälten' (to catch a cold). Pay attention to the reflexive pronoun: 'Ich habe mich erkältet.' (I caught a cold.) is correct.
Wo hast du dich denn erkältet?
Where did you catch a cold, then?
flu
'Grippe' and 'Erkältung' are both respiratory illnesses and can have similar symptoms, for example a cough or sore throat. 'Erkältung' is usually milder and very common. 'Grippe' actually means the real flu, influenza, which is often more severe and comes with fever as well as strong headaches and aching limbs. In everyday speech, some people also use 'Grippe' for a bad cold. That is why the words are easy to confuse. To be precise: not every 'Erkältung' (cold) is a 'Grippe' (flu).
Bei einer leichten Erkältung trinkt Anna viel Tee und bleibt zu Hause.
When Anna has a mild cold, she drinks a lot of tea and stays home.
Wegen der Grippe lag Max eine Woche mit hohem Fieber im Bett.
Because of the flu, Max was in bed with a high fever for a week.