lunatic asylum
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lunatic asylum
An outdated term, now perceived as derogatory and discriminatory, for a psychiatric hospital. The term was formerly used for institutions where people with mental illnesses were housed.
In Romanen des 19. Jahrhunderts werden solche Einrichtungen oft als „Irrenanstalt“ bezeichnet.
In 19th-century novels, such institutions are often referred to as a 'lunatic asylum'.
The word is made up of 'Irren' and 'Anstalt'. 'Irre' is an outdated, derogatory term for people with mental disorders, derived from the verb 'irren' (to be mistaken, to wander around).
Die Sprache des 19. Jahrhunderts spiegelt sich in Begriffen wie „Irrenanstalt“ wider.
The language of the 19th century is reflected in terms like 'Irrenanstalt' (lunatic asylum).
This word is strongly outdated and is now perceived as discriminatory and offensive. Do not use it under any circumstances to describe a modern psychiatric hospital.
Heute spricht man von psychiatrischen Kliniken oder Fachkrankenhäusern, nicht von Irrenanstalten.
Today people speak of psychiatric hospitals or specialized hospitals, not of lunatic asylums.
You will encounter this word mainly in historical texts, old novels, or films set in the past. It is a signal of an old or outdated context.
Der Protagonist des historischen Romans wurde in eine sogenannte Irrenanstalt eingewiesen.
The protagonist of the historical novel was admitted to a so-called lunatic asylum.
psychiatry
'die Psychiatrie' and 'die Irrenanstalt' can both refer to an institution for people with mental illnesses. But the difference is very important. 'Psychiatrie' is the normal, factual, and respectful word for a clinic or department that treats such illnesses. 'Irrenanstalt' is outdated and is now considered derogatory and discriminatory. Learners may confuse the words because they might hear both used for similar institutions in old texts or films. In everyday language today and in medical conversations, you should say 'Psychiatrie'.
In alten Büchern steht manchmal das Wort Irrenanstalt, aber heute benutzt man es nicht respektvoll.
In old books, the word Irrenanstalt sometimes appears, but today it is not used respectfully.
Nach dem Gespräch mit der Ärztin bekommt er einen Termin in der Psychiatrie.
After the conversation with the doctor, he gets an appointment at the psychiatric hospital.