noun
cold (illness), a cold
B1
Erkältung: a feminine noun meaning 'cold' (illness). Common translations: 'a cold' or 'cold (illness)'. Plural is Erkältungen. Collocations: 'eine Erkältung haben' or 'an einer Erkältung leiden'. Related verb: sich erkälten. No irregular plural; regular declension with feminine articles. Used in everyday speech to mean a mild viral illness.
Examples
Die Erkältung hat mich drei Tage ans Bett gefesselt.
The cold kept me bedridden for three days.
Wegen einer starken Erkältung musste ich zu Hause bleiben.
Because of a severe cold, I had to stay at home.
Wegen einer Erkältung sagte der Sänger das Konzert ab, weil seine Stimme heiser war.
Because of a cold, the singer canceled the concert because his voice was hoarse.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone with a red nose and tissues — a classic cold image.
Sounds like 'air-cold-ung' — remember it's about being cold (illness).
Die Erkältung — think of 'die' as a female nurse treating the cold.
Notes
Refers specifically to the common cold (respiratory viral infection). Plural is 'Erkältungen'. Common collocations: 'eine Erkältung haben', 'sich eine Erkältung holen'.