German · Body & Health
"Flu" in German: Grippe
die Grippe
Flu in German is die Grippe. Say Ich habe die Grippe when you are down with influenza. A milder head cold is usually eine Erkältung, not Grippe.
Calling in sick
Ich bleibe heute zu Hause. Ich habe die Grippe.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Grippe
Say it
GRIP-uh
/ˈɡʁɪpə/
GRIP-uh. Hard g. Short i. Soft final -e.
"Flu" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Grippe | the flu Main noun for influenza. | Main noun for influenza. |
| Grippe haben | to have the flu Everyday illness talk. | Everyday illness talk. |
| gegen Grippe | against the flu Vaccines or remedies. | Vaccines or remedies. |
| Grippewelle | flu wave / season News and winter talk. | News and winter talk. |
How to use Grippe in real life
- 1Calling in sick
Ich bleibe heute zu Hause. Ich habe die Grippe.
I'm staying home today. I have the flu.
Die Grippe with haben.
- 2Pharmacy
Haben Sie etwas gegen die Grippe?
Do you have something for the flu?
Gegen die Grippe.
- 3Friend check-in
Die Grippe hat mich richtig erwischt.
The flu really hit me hard.
Erwischt = caught me.
Mistakes English speakers make with Grippe
Incorrect: Ich habe den Flu.
Correct: Ich habe die Grippe.
Use Grippe, not English flu.
Incorrect: der Grippe
Correct: die Grippe
Grippe is feminine: die Grippe.
Good to know
Germans often distinguish Grippe from Erkältung carefully. Pharmacies and Hausärzte hear both words all winter; if fever and aches are strong, people say Grippe more readily.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
A coworker is missing practice
ChatPal
Kommst du heute? Oder hast du die Grippe?
Are you coming today? Or do you have the flu?
You
Leider ja. Die Grippe kam über Nacht.
Unfortunately yes. The flu came overnight.
ChatPal
Dann ruh dich aus. Wir schaffen das ohne dich.
Then rest. We'll manage without you.
You
Danke. Wenn die Grippe weg ist, melde ich mich.
Thanks. When the flu is gone, I'll check in.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Flu" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Flu" in German
How do you say flu?
Die Grippe.
I have the flu?
Ich habe die Grippe.
Gender?
Feminine: die Grippe.
Flu vs cold?
Grippe is flu; Erkältung is a common cold.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
