flu
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flu
A contagious infectious disease caused by viruses, accompanied by fever, cough, headaches, and aching limbs (influenza).
Wegen einer schweren Grippe musste er eine Woche lang das Bett hüten.
Because of a severe flu, he had to stay in bed for a week.
flu / bad cold
A colloquial term for a bad cold or a flu-like infection, even if medically it is not true influenza.
Ich glaube, ich kriege eine Grippe, ich fühle mich schon den ganzen Tag schlapp.
I think I'm coming down with the flu; I've felt weak all day.
In German, you 'have' the flu: 'eine Grippe haben'. The most common and natural phrases are 'eine Grippe haben' (to have the flu), 'eine Grippe bekommen' (to get the flu), or 'an einer Grippe erkranken' (to fall ill with the flu).
Ich kann heute nicht zur Arbeit kommen, ich habe eine Grippe.
I can't come to work today; I have the flu.
In everyday language, 'Grippe' (flu) is often used for a normal but bad cold ('einen grippalen Infekt', a flu-like infection). This use is colloquial and not medically precise.
Ich glaube, ich brüte eine Grippe aus, mein Hals kratzt schon.
I think I'm coming down with the flu; my throat is already scratchy.
When people are talking about the 'echte Grippe' (real flu/influenza), this is often made clear by words like 'echt' (real), 'schwer' (severe), or by the medical context, e.g. 'Grippe-Impfung' (flu vaccination).
Die echte Grippe ist eine ernstzunehmende Krankheit.
The real flu is a serious illness.
cold
Both words refer to a contagious respiratory illness with symptoms such as coughing and feeling unwell. Erkältung is usually a milder, common infection. Grippe means actual influenza and typically has a much more severe course. For an ordinary mild illness, Erkältung is therefore the more suitable term.
Wegen der starken Glieder- und Kopfschmerzen vermutete der Arzt eine Grippe und empfahl ihr, im Bett zu bleiben.
Because of the severe body aches and headache, the doctor suspected that she had the flu and advised her to stay in bed.
Wegen des leichten Schnupfens und Hustens vermutete der Arzt eine Erkältung und empfahl ihr, sich zu schonen.
Because of the slight runny nose and cough, the doctor suspected that she had a cold and advised her to take it easy.
