pandemic
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pandemic
An infectious disease that spreads across countries and continents and affects a very large part of the world's population.
Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation rief im März 2020 offiziell eine Pandemie aus.
The World Health Organization officially declared a pandemic in March 2020.
The word comes from Greek: 'pan' means 'all' or 'whole', and 'demos' means 'people'. So a pandemic literally affects 'the whole people'.
Die Spanische Grippe war eine der schlimmsten Pandemien der Geschichte.
The Spanish flu was one of the worst pandemics in history.
In connection with 'Pandemie' (pandemic), certain verbs are often used: to 'declare', 'fight', 'contain', or 'overcome' a pandemic.
Die Regierung versucht, die Pandemie mit neuen Maßnahmen einzudämmen.
The government is trying to contain the pandemic with new measures.
Common prepositions used with 'Pandemie' (pandemic) are 'während' (during, point in time), 'wegen' (because of, reason), and 'infolge' (as a result of, consequence).
Während der Pandemie haben viele Menschen im Homeoffice gearbeitet.
During the pandemic, many people worked from home.
epidemic
'die Epidemie' and 'die Pandemie' both refer to the strong spread of a contagious disease. The most important difference is the size of the area. An epidemic is limited in time and place, for example to a city, region, or country. A pandemic spreads across many countries or continents. The words are easily confused because every pandemic can also feel like a very large wave of disease. If the disease occurs frequently only in a limited area, you say 'Epidemie'. If it occurs worldwide or very widely across national borders, you say 'Pandemie'.
Die Pandemie hat den Alltag in vielen Ländern stark verändert.
The pandemic greatly changed everyday life in many countries.
In der Region bereiten sich die Krankenhäuser auf eine mögliche Epidemie vor.
In the region, hospitals are preparing for a possible epidemic.