How to Say "Smallpox" in German

Pocken

[ˈpɔkən]

Smallpox in German is Pocken.

Pocken is the term used to refer to the disease smallpox.

Meaning: disease (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

Pocken is a plural noun and is almost always used with the definite article die when referring to the disease.

In historical German texts, Pocken was sometimes used interchangeably with Blattern, derived from the word for 'leaves' because the rash looked like small leaves on the skin.
The word is part of a larger family of German words describing skin eruptions, such as 'Windpocken' for chickenpox, which literally translates to 'wind pocks'.
Modern German speakers use the term Affenpocken for monkeypox, literally combining Affen 'apes' and Pocken 'smallpox'.

Er hatte die Pocken.
He was suffering from smallpox.
This sentence shows how to say someone had the disease using Pocken.
Tatoeba #13354439 by Waldelfe, translation #803035 by Source_VOA
Ich bin gegen Pocken immun.
I am immune to smallpox.
This sentence is useful for expressing immunity to Pocken.
Tatoeba #450085 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #259596 by CK
Gelbfieber und Pocken waren nicht länger eine Bedrohung.
Yellow fever and smallpox were no longer a threat.
This sentence illustrates using Pocken in the context of historical threats.
Tatoeba #1567115 by Espi, translation #807698 by Source_VOA
Pocken sind eine hochansteckende Infektionskrankheit.
Smallpox is a highly contagious infectious disease.
3 more sentences on Tatoeba

A history professor explains a medical topic to a student in a seminar.

Maximilian

Waren die Pocken früher sehr gefährlich?
Were the smallpox very dangerous in the past?
Laura

Ja, die Pocken waren eine tödliche Krankheit.
Yes, smallpox was a deadly disease.
Maximilian

Hat die Impfung die Pocken besiegt?
Did the vaccination defeat the smallpox?
Laura

Ja, die Pocken sind heute ausgerottet.
Yes, smallpox is eradicated today.

Sources

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