Meaning & use
gesundheit
Last updated
Meaning
interjection
Used to wish good health to someone who has just sneezed.
Grammar: It is a fixed exclamation and does not change form; it stands alone as a complete response.
Patterns
- say gesundheit
- gesundheit! (as a response)
When Mia sneezed during the quiet exam, her classmate whispered 'gesundheit'.
He sneezed loudly, and his grandmother said 'gesundheit' from the kitchen.
'Gesundheit!' said the nurse as the patient sneezed into a tissue.
Common combinations
- say gesundheit
- In Germany, people often say gesundheit when someone sneezes.
- gesundheit! (as a quick response)
- Achoo! — Gesundheit! Are you catching a cold?
- bless you (equivalent)
- In English-speaking countries, 'bless you' is more common than 'gesundheit'.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bless you
- This is the usual English phrase after a sneeze; 'gesundheit' is a loanword that is also understood but sounds slightly more German or old-fashioned.
Commonly confused: gesundheit or gazoontite?
gesundheit vs gazoontite
'Gazoontite' is not a standard English word; it is a phonetic spelling people use when they hear 'gesundheit' but do not know how to write it.
Practice
Your friend sneezes. Which is the most natural response in English?
Choose one answer.
'Gesundheit' (like 'bless you') is said right after a sneeze. 'Congratulations' is for good news, 'Excuse me' is for getting attention or apologizing, and 'Goodbye' is for leaving.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gesundheit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.