ADHS
/aːdeːhaːʔɛs/feminine
ADHD in German is ADHS.
In formal contexts, you may also encounter the full term Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätsstörung or the English abbreviation ADHD, which is acceptable in formal German communication.
Meaning: the abbreviation ADHD (verb)
Which one should you use?
You might hear the colloquial term Zappelphilipp-Syndrom to describe a person with ADHD or the informal term Zappelkiste to describe someone who is hyperactive or restless.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ADHS is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/aːdeːhaːʔɛs/
Did you know?
- The colloquial term Zappelphilipp is actually a character from a 19th-century German children's story. It is often used to name a child who cannot sit still, similar to how one might use 'fidgety' in English.
- The word Störung in ADHS can mean both 'disorder' in a medical sense and 'interference' or 'disturbance' in a technical sense, such as a radio signal.
- While 'ADHS' is the standard medical abbreviation, some people colloquially refer to a person with the condition as an 'ADHSler'.
Examples in context
- Bei Tom wurde ein ADHS diagnostiziert.Tom was diagnosed with ADHD.This sentence shows how to use ADHS when discussing a medical diagnosis.Tatoeba #4945031 by brauchinet, translation #4943546 by Hybrid
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about health and focus.
- JuliaLukas, warum bist du so unruhig?Lukas, why are you so restless?
- LukasIch glaube, ich habe ADHS.I think I have ADHD.
- JuliaHast du das schon einem Arzt gesagt?Have you already told a doctor?
- LukasJa, ich habe morgen einen Termin.Yes, I have an appointment tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adhd” translations and entries ADHS, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
