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.
formal visit
A formal, often short visit to someone. This meaning is rather rare today and is used in elevated language.
Der neue Botschafter machte dem Außenminister seine Antritts-Visite.
The new ambassador paid the foreign minister his introductory visit.
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
Besuch and Visite both refer to going to see someone for a limited time. Visite, however, specifically means the regular medical round in which doctors or nursing staff check on several patients. Use Besuch for personal visits and Visite for this medical check.
Bei der Visite kontrollierten die Ärzte am Morgen alle Patienten.
During the morning round, the doctors checked on all the patients.
Der Besuch meiner Mutter im Krankenhaus dauerte am Nachmittag eine Stunde.
My mother’s visit to the hospital lasted an hour in the afternoon.
