round / visit
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round
The regular round made by doctors and nursing staff to patients in a hospital, practice, or care facility in order to check their condition.
Bei der morgendlichen Visite besprach der Arzt die weiteren Behandlungsschritte mit dem Patienten.
During the morning round, the doctor discussed the next treatment steps with the patient.
The word 'Visite' (round / visit) is not used for informal meetings with friends or family. It almost always describes a visit in a professional or very formal setting.
Der Chefarzt macht jeden Morgen seine Visite auf der Station.
The chief physician does his round on the ward every morning.
'Visite' comes from the French word 'visite', which means 'Besuch' (visit). This explains why both meanings in German have to do with a kind of visit, even though they are very specialized.
Im Krankenhaus warteten alle Patienten auf die Visite des Professors.
In the hospital, all the patients waited for the professor's round.
This meaning is by far the most common. It is firmly connected with the context of hospital, doctor, and patient. Typical expressions are 'die Visite machen' (to do the round) or 'zur Visite kommen' (to come for the round).
Während der Visite erklärte die Ärztin die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung.
During the round, the doctor explained the results of the examination.
The meaning of a formal visit is rare and belongs to an elevated, official style. A fixed expression for this is 'jemandem eine Visite abstatten' (to pay someone a visit), which often occurs in a diplomatic context.
Der Diplomat stattete dem Präsidenten eine kurze Visite ab.
The diplomat paid the president a short visit.
visit / visitor
'der Besuch' and 'die Visite' can both mean a short visit to someone. 'der Besuch' is the normal everyday word and fits friends, family, places, or events. 'die Visite' is much more specific. It usually means the round made by doctors or nursing staff to patients. A formal short 'Visite' to someone also exists, but today that sounds rather elevated or old-fashioned. Learners may confuse the words because 'Visite' seems similar to 'Besuch'. In everyday life, you almost always say 'Besuch'; in a hospital, often 'Visite'.
Nach der Visite erklärte die Ärztin dem Patienten die nächsten Schritte.
After the rounds, the doctor explained the next steps to the patient.
Morgen bekomme ich Besuch von meiner Nachbarin.
Tomorrow I am getting a visit from my neighbor.