noun
cold, runny nose
B1
Schnupfen means a cold or a runny nose, usually the common cold symptom rather than a serious illness. It is masculine: der Schnupfen, with singular declension (Genitive: des Schnupfens). Plural is rarely used; often treated as uncountable. Use when describing nasal congestion or a mild viral cold.
Examples
Bei einem Schnupfen läuft die Nase.
When you have a cold, your nose runs.
Ich habe Schnupfen und muss Taschentücher mitnehmen.
I have a cold and need to take tissues with me.
Bei kaltem Wetter bekomme ich oft einen Schnupfen.
In cold weather I often get a runny nose.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone with a red nose and tissues, the word 'Schnupfen' written on the tissue box.
Sounds like 'snoop' + 'fen' — imagine someone snooping and sniffing.
DER Schnupfen — think of a man ('der') sniffling with a handkerchief.
Notes
Schnupfen is commonly used for the common cold symptoms (runny/stuffy nose). It's usually treated as a singular, mass-like noun in everyday speech. | Singular-only noun; plural forms are not applicable.