ich bin erkältet
In German, "I have a cold" is expressed as ich bin erkältet.
You use ich bin erkältet to tell someone that you are currently suffering from a common cold. It is often used to explain why you are not feeling well, such as in the phrase Es geht mir nicht gut, ich bin erkältet (I am not feeling well, I have a cold).
Meaning: I have a cold (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I am cold-stricken". The word erkältet is the past participle of the verb erkälten, which means "to catch a cold".
Which one should you use?
While you may see the phrase Ich habe eine Erkältung (I have a cold), it is not the most natural way to speak. Ich bin erkältet is the much more common and natural way to express this in German.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying ich bin kalt to mean you have a cold. In German, ich bin kalt actually means "I am cold (to the touch)" or refers to being emotionally cold and unfriendly.
When do people say it?
When someone tells you they are sick, a common and polite response is Gute Besserung! (Get well soon!).
Did you know?
- In German culture, it is common to treat a cold with Inhalieren, which involves breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water with additives like chamomile or salt.
- German distinguishes between being erkältet (having a cold) and being verkühlt, a regional variation often used in Southern Germany and Austria.
- While ich bin erkältet is the standard way to describe a cold, Germans use the phrase einen Schnupfen haben when specifically referring to the runny nose symptoms.
Examples in context
- Ich glaube, ich bin erkältet.I think that I have a cold.This sentence is useful for expressing uncertainty about your symptoms.Tatoeba #8511206 by Luiaard, translation #8354020 by CK
- Komm mir nicht zu nahe. Ich bin erkältet.Don't come near me. I have a cold.This sentence is useful for telling someone to keep their distance because you are sick.Tatoeba #1147684 by Haehnchenpaella, translation #43246 by CK
- Ich bin erkältet.I have a cold.This is a simple way to state that you have a cold.Tatoeba #396520 by xtofu80, translation #321954 by CK
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are talking on the phone about their plans.
- JuliaKommst du heute Abend zum Kino?Are you coming to the cinema tonight?
- LukasNein, leider nicht. Ich bin erkältet.No, unfortunately not. I have a cold.
- JuliaOh, das tut mir leid, Lukas.Oh, I am sorry to hear that, Lukas.
- LukasDanke, ich bleibe heute einfach im Bett.Thanks, I'm just staying in bed today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I have a cold” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
