lichen / skin disease
die Flechte, die Flechten
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lichen
A living organism made up of a close symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga or bacterium, usually growing on stones, tree bark, or the ground.
Auf dem alten Stein wächst eine gelbliche Flechte.
A yellowish lichen is growing on the old stone.
skin disease
A skin disease in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly.
Der Hautarzt stellte bei ihr eine Flechte am Arm fest.
The dermatologist diagnosed her with a skin disease on her arm.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Flechten |
| genitive | der Flechte |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Flechte | die Flechten |
| accusative | die Flechte | die Flechten |
| dative | der Flechte | den Flechten |
| genitive | der Flechte | der Flechten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
You can usually identify the meaning from the context: if the lichen grows on stone, tree bark, or soil, it refers to a living organism. If skin, itching, a rash, or a medical examination is mentioned, it refers to the skin disease.
Auf der feuchten Mauer hat sich eine graue Flechte gebildet.
A gray lichen has grown on the damp wall.
Wegen der juckenden Flechte ging er zum Hautarzt.
He went to the dermatologist because of the itchy skin disease.
In this meaning, „Flechte“ (lichen) is often used with information about its habitat or the surface it grows on. Typical collocations are „auf einem Stein wachsen“ (to grow on a stone), „auf Baumrinde vorkommen“ (to occur on tree bark), and „den Boden bedecken“ (to cover the ground).
Auf der Baumrinde entdeckte die Biologin eine orangefarbene Flechte.
The biologist discovered an orange-colored lichen on the tree bark.
For the skin disease, „Flechte“ (skin disease) is often used with parts of the body and symptoms. Typical expressions are „eine Flechte am Arm“ (a skin disease on the arm), „eine juckende Flechte“ (an itchy skin disease), and „eine Flechte behandeln“ (to treat a skin disease).
Die Ärztin behandelte die entzündete Flechte an seinem Bein.
The doctor treated the inflamed skin disease on his leg.
