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An outdated term, now perceived as derogatory and discriminatory, for a psychiatric hospital.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 'Irre' is an outdated, derogatory term for people with mental disorders, derived from the verb 'irren' (to be mistaken, to wander around).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This word is strongly outdated and is now perceived as discriminatory and offensive.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 It is a signal of an old or outdated context.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
Psychiatrie is the current neutral term for the relevant type of clinic or hospital department. Irrenanstalt also refers to such an institution, but it is outdated and is now considered derogatory and discriminatory. In current neutral usage, Psychiatrie is therefore the appropriate term.
In einem Roman von 1900 wird die psychiatrische Einrichtung als Irrenanstalt bezeichnet.
In a novel from 1900, the psychiatric facility is referred to as an Irrenanstalt.
Im aktuellen Arztbrief steht, dass der Patient in die Psychiatrie aufgenommen wurde.
The current doctor's letter states that the patient was admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
