erkranken

fall ill

verb er-KRAN-ken Less Common

Usage Note

erkranken is the formal verb for becoming sick, common in medical and news contexts; everyday speech prefers krank werden. It takes an plus dative for the illness: an Grippe erkranken ('come down with the flu'). It forms its perfect with sein, not haben.

Examples

"Viele erkranken im Winter an Grippe."

Natural Translation

Many fall ill with the flu in winter.

Literal Translation

Many fall-ill in winter with flu.

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