impfen
to vaccinate
To administer a vaccine to a person or animal in order to protect them from a specific disease (vaccination).
EXAMPLE
Lassen Sie sich rechtzeitig gegen Grippe impfen.
Make sure to get vaccinated against the flu in good time.
impfen
to vaccinate / graft
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Meanings
impfen
to instill
In a figurative sense, to convey or impress a certain idea, opinion, or quality on someone.
EXAMPLE
Seine Eltern haben ihm von klein auf Respekt vor anderen Menschen geimpft.
His parents instilled respect for other people in him from an early age.
impfen
to graft
In botany and horticulture, to place part of one plant (e.g., a branch) onto another plant so that they grow together (grafting).
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner impft einen Apfelzweig auf den Stamm eines Wildbaums.
The gardener grafts an apple branch onto the trunk of a wild tree.
Usage tips
Word family
The word family of 'impfen' (to vaccinate) includes the noun 'die Impfung' (vaccination) and the participle 'geimpft' (vaccinated), which is often used as an adjective. When you learn the verb, it's best to learn these related words at the same time.
EXAMPLE
Die Impfung gegen Masern ist für Kinder sehr wichtig.
The vaccination against measles is very important for children.
Sentence structure and use
In a medical context, the structure 'jemanden gegen etwas (Akkusativ) impfen' (to vaccinate someone against something) is used. The reflexive expression 'sich impfen lassen' (to get vaccinated) is also very common, used to express that one receives the vaccination from someone else (e.g., a doctor).
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt impft das Kind gegen Tetanus.
The doctor vaccinates the child against tetanus.
Dative construction
In the figurative meaning, a different structure is often used: 'jemandem (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) impfen' (to instill something in someone). The person to whom the idea is conveyed is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Trainer hat der Mannschaft den Siegeswillen geimpft.
The coach instilled the will to win in the team.
Context clues
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about doctors, diseases, or protection, the medical meaning is intended. With abstract terms such as opinions or qualities, the figurative meaning is intended. In connection with plants and gardens, it is about botany.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte seinen Hund gegen Tollwut impfen lassen.
You should have your dog vaccinated against rabies.
Compare with
impfen vs spritzen
to inject / spray
Spritzen and impfen can both occur in the context of vaccination, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. Spritzen describes putting the liquid into the body with a syringe, while impfen refers to the purpose of protecting against a disease. Use spritzen for the method and impfen for the overall procedure.
impfen
Die Ärztin impft das Kind heute gegen eine bestimmte Krankheit.
The doctor is vaccinating the child against a specific disease today.
spritzen
Die Ärztin spritzt den Impfstoff vorsichtig in den Oberarm.
The doctor carefully injects the vaccine into the upper arm.
In real life
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