01
das Symptom
symptom
A sign of an illness or physical disorder that is noticed by the patient or identified by the doctor.
example
Fieber ist ein typisches Symptom für eine Grippe.
Fever is a typical symptom of the flu.
das Symptom
symptom
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Use with 'für'
The word 'Symptom' (symptom) is very often used with the preposition 'für' and the accusative to express what something is a sign of.
EXAMPLE
Ständige Müdigkeit kann ein Symptom für Eisenmangel sein.
Constant tiredness can be a symptom of iron deficiency.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether the medical or figurative meaning is intended. Words like 'Krankheit' (illness) or 'Arzt' (doctor) point to the medical meaning, while terms like 'Gesellschaft' (society) or 'Wirtschaft' (economy) indicate the figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Husten ist ein häufiges Symptom einer Erkältung.
Coughing is a common symptom of a cold.
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'Symptom' (symptom) is often combined with verbs such as 'haben' (to have), 'zeigen' (to show), 'lindern' (to relieve), or 'behandeln' (to treat).
EXAMPLE
Der Patient zeigte die ersten Symptome bereits vor einer Woche.
The patient showed the first symptoms as early as a week ago.
Compare with
Symptom vs Folge
consequence / episode
'die Folge' and 'das Symptom' can both show that there is a reason or problem behind something. A 'Folge' is a result of something, meaning what happens after an action or event. A 'Symptom' is a sign of an illness or a larger problem. It does not have to be the whole result; it only shows: something is not right. Learners may confuse the words because symptoms are often also consequences of an illness. If you are talking about cause and effect, 'Folge' fits; if you mean a recognizable sign, 'Symptom' fits.
Symptom
Fieber ist ein häufiges Symptom bei einer Grippe.
Fever is a common symptom of the flu.
Folge
Eine mögliche Folge von zu wenig Schlaf ist schlechte Konzentration.
One possible consequence of too little sleep is poor concentration.
In real life
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