dysentery / Ruhr
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dysentery
A serious, contagious intestinal disease accompanied by severe diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The medical technical term is dysentery.
In dem Flüchtlingslager brach die Ruhr aus, weil es an sauberem Trinkwasser mangelte.
Dysentery broke out in the refugee camp because there was a lack of clean drinking water.
The word 'die Ruhr' has two very different meanings. Whether it means the disease or the river can only be recognized from context. Medical topics such as illness or hygiene point to the disease, while geographical information points to the river.
Im Mittelalter starben viele Menschen an der Ruhr.
In the Middle Ages, many people died of dysentery.
In connection with the disease, 'die Ruhr' is often used with certain verbs. Typical phrases include 'die Ruhr haben' (to have dysentery), 'an der Ruhr erkranken' (to contract dysentery), or that 'die Ruhr ausbricht' (dysentery breaks out).
Die Ärzte befürchteten, dass im Lager die Ruhr ausbrechen könnte.
The doctors feared that dysentery could break out in the camp.
The river 'die Ruhr' gives its name to one of Germany's most important industrial regions: the Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr region). If you hear about cities such as Essen, Dortmund, or Duisburg, the region around the river is often meant.
Das Ruhrgebiet ist nach dem Fluss Ruhr benannt.
The Ruhr region is named after the Ruhr River.
diarrhea / flop
'Ruhr' and 'Durchfall' can both be related to an illness of the intestines. 'Durchfall' is the general word for very frequent, watery bowel movements. It can have many causes and does not have to be very dangerous. 'Ruhr', on the other hand, is a serious contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Learners may confuse the words because diarrhea is an important symptom of dysentery. In everyday speech, people usually say 'Durchfall'. 'Ruhr' is used only when this serious disease is actually meant.
Auf der Reise erkrankten mehrere Menschen an der Ruhr.
Several people on the trip came down with dysentery.
Anton bleibt heute zu Hause, weil er starken Durchfall hat.
Anton is staying home today because he has severe diarrhea.