German Phrase
Beschreibe, wie sich die Symptome anfühlen.
Meaning
The sentence asks someone to give a detailed description of the way their symptoms feel, focusing on the quality of the sensation rather than just naming the symptom.
When to use
Use this phrase in a medical interview, a therapy session, or when a doctor or caregiver wants the patient to articulate the subjective experience of their illness. It is also suitable in a classroom setting when practicing health‑related vocabulary.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Beschreibe,wiesichdieSymptomeanfühlen.
Imperativ (Beschreibe)
‘Beschreibe’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘beschreiben’. It is used for a direct request to the listener.
Komma nach Imperativ
In German a comma separates the main clause from the subordinate clause introduced by ‘wie’.
Subjunktion ‘wie’
‘wie’ introduces a comparative subordinate clause meaning ‘how’.
Reflexivpronomen ‘sich’
‘anfühlen’ is a reflexive verb; the pronoun ‘sich’ must match the subject (here ‘die Symptome’).
Bestimmter Artikel ‘die’
‘die Symptome’ is a plural noun with the definite article in nominative case.
Verb ‘anfühlen’
‘anfühlen’ means ‘to feel (in terms of sensation)’. With a reflexive pronoun it describes how something is perceived.
🗨In Conversation
Beschreibe, wie sich die Symptome anfühlen.
Describe how the symptoms feel.
Ich fühle ein stechendes Ziehen im Brustbereich, das sich manchmal ausbreitet.
I feel a stabbing ache in my chest that sometimes spreads.
✕Common Mistakes
Beschreibe, wie die Symptome fühlen.
‘fühlen’ without the reflexive pronoun does not convey the same nuance; the correct verb is ‘anfühlen’ with ‘sich’.
Beschreibe, wie sich das Symptom anfühlt.
If you refer to a single symptom, use the singular ‘das Symptom’. The plural ‘die Symptome’ matches the verb ‘anfühlen’.
Beschreibe wie sich die Symptome anfühlen.
The comma after the imperative is mandatory in written German.
↔Alternatives
Erkläre, wie die Symptome sich anfühlen.
Explain how the symptoms feel.
Beschreibe das Empfinden deiner Symptome.
Describe the feeling of your symptoms.
Wie würdest du das Gefühl deiner Symptome beschreiben?
How would you describe the feeling of your symptoms?
Cultural Tip
In German medical contexts the formal ‘Sie’ is usually used, so a doctor would say ‘Beschreiben Sie, wie sich die Symptome anfühlen.’ The verb ‘anfühlen’ is more about tactile perception, but it is idiomatically accepted for describing internal sensations like pain or pressure. Avoid using the simple verb ‘fühlen’ without the reflexive pronoun, as it sounds less precise in a clinical setting.