ulcer
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ulcer
A pathological, often inflamed tissue change on the skin or a mucous membrane that does not want to heal. In medicine, the term is used for an ulcer.
Wegen des Stresses entwickelte er ein Magengeschwür.
Because of the stress, he developed a stomach ulcer.
ulcer
Figuratively, a large, deep-seated problem or grievance that burdens and harms a group or society.
Die Korruption ist ein Geschwür am Herzen unserer Demokratie.
Corruption is an ulcer at the heart of our democracy.
The noun 'Geschwür' (ulcer) is related to the old verb 'schwären' (to fester or become inflamed). So a 'Geschwür' is literally something that is inflamed and does not heal.
Die Wunde begann zu schwären und wurde zu einem Geschwür.
The wound began to fester and turned into an ulcer.
You can recognize the medical meaning from the context of body parts ('Magen' (stomach), 'Haut' (skin)) and medicine. You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context of society, politics, or abstract problems ('Korruption' (corruption), 'Hass' (hatred)).
Der Arzt diagnostizierte ein Geschwür im Zwölffingerdarm.
The doctor diagnosed an ulcer in the duodenum.
In a medical context, typical combinations are 'ein Magengeschwür haben' (to have a stomach ulcer), 'ein Geschwür behandeln' (to treat an ulcer), or 'ein Geschwür entfernen' (to remove an ulcer).
Das Geschwür musste operativ entfernt werden.
The ulcer had to be surgically removed.
The figurative use of 'Geschwür' (ulcer) is very strong and negative. It is used to describe deep-rooted, harmful, and difficult-to-solve problems that weaken an organization or society from within.
Der Redner bezeichnete den Extremismus als ein Geschwür, das die Gesellschaft zersetzt.
The speaker described extremism as an ulcer that eats away at society.
wound
An open area of skin can generally be called a Wunde. “Das Geschwür,” on the other hand, specifically refers to a pathological, often inflamed area that does not heal. Use “Wunde” when you simply mean an injury, and “Geschwür” when this particular pathological change is the focus.
Die offene Stelle am Fuß heilt seit Wochen nicht und sieht wie ein Geschwür aus.
The open sore on his foot has not healed for weeks and looks like an ulcer.
Nach dem Sturz versorgte die Ärztin die offene Wunde am Knie.
After the fall, the doctor treated the open wound on her knee.
