21 December 2025
The German Word for Cancer Might Catch You Off Guard
The word cancer in German is surprisingly rich. It covers three distinct meanings: the disease, the zodiac sign, and the crab. Whether you’re reading the news, a horoscope, or ordering seafood, Krebs might appear - making it a powerful word to learn and understand in context.
The word is Krebs. It ends with /ps/: the written b sounds like p. A common pronunciation is /kʁeːps/, with a long e; Duden also records a short-e variant, /krɛps/.
Krebs is masculine, so it’s der Krebs. The plural is die Krebse for the animals. The disease name and the zodiac sign normally have no plural; people born under that sign can be called Krebse. For more help with gender, see my gender video lesson.
Krebs is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German - thanks to how often it’s used in both science and everyday conversation.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:Der Krebs lebt im Wasser.The crayfish lives in water.
Accusative:Ich habe den Krebs im Aquarium gefüttert.I fed the crab in the aquarium.
Dative:Ich gebe dem Krebs Futter.I give the crayfish food.
Genitive:Die Scheren des Krebses sind groß.The crayfish’s claws are large.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Krebs is a word that demands careful interpretation. In a medical context, Krebs refers to cancer - one of the most serious topics in any language. But in everyday speech, it can also mean:
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der Flusskrebs - crayfish
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der Krebs als Sternzeichen - the Cancer zodiac sign
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der rote Krebs - the red crab (animal)
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jemand hat Krebs - someone has cancer
If you see it with a verb like bekommen (to get), heilen (to heal), or behandeln (to treat), it’s likely about illness. If it appears in a horoscope, it’s astrological. And if it’s in a menu or biology class, it’s a crustacean.
This makes Krebs a great example of why context matters when learning German.
Beginner dialogue using Krebs:
A: Was ist dein Sternzeichen?B: Ich bin Krebs - und du?A: What’s your zodiac sign?B: I’m Cancer - and you?
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Krebs.
“Kennst du jemanden, der Krebs hatte - oder bist du im Sternzeichen Krebs geboren?”Do you know someone who had cancer - or were you born under the Cancer zodiac sign?
Say your answer out loud in German and include Krebs in the sentence.
German Word of the DayNow you know how to say cancer in German - and how der Krebs can mean disease, crab, or a star sign depending on the context.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and keep growing your vocabulary with depth and confidence.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Check out Krieger - perfect for fantasy, history, and expressing courage.Or revisit Krise - a powerful word for describing challenge and change.
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