- Said to someone immediately after they sneeze.
- It's the German word for health.
- Functions similarly to Bless you.
Explanation
Origin
- Borrowed directly from German, where Gesundheit means health.
- Became common in English-speaking countries, particularly the US, due to German immigration.
- Used as a wish for the sneezer's health, possibly stemming from old superstitions that sneezing could expel the soul or let evil spirits in, or simply as a polite acknowledgement.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Standard English:
- Bless you
- God bless you
Some people offer no response, which is also acceptable.
No slang/vulgar alternatives exist for this specific social pleasantry.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most informal and semi-formal situations, similar to Bless you.
- It's widely understood, especially in the US.
- Some might perceive it as slightly more secular than Bless you.
- No response is needed if someone sneezes, but offering Gesundheit or Bless you is generally considered polite.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might not recognize the word if they haven't encountered it.
- They should learn that the standard response is Thank you.
Examples
- Person A: (Sneezes) Achoo!
- Person B: Gesundheit!
- Person A: Thank you.
Dialogue
Maria: So, I was reading this article about... about... achoo!
David: Gesundheit!
Maria: Thanks. Anyway, the article was about urban gardening...
Social Media Examples
- (Less common on social media unless describing an IRL interaction)
- Chat: My allergies are acting up *achoo*. gesundheit!
- Tweet: Heard someone sneeze on the bus and like three people said 'Gesundheit' at once. Nice to hear politeness still exists!
Response Patterns
- The person who sneezed typically responds with Thank you or Thanks.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Usually none. The conversation typically resumes where it left off before the sneeze.
- If someone sneezes multiple times, the speaker might switch to Bless you or stop responding after the second or third sneeze. They might also ask, Are you okay? or Getting a cold?.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a fixed response to a specific bodily function (sneezing).
Intonation
- Usually said with a neutral, polite, or slightly warm tone.
- Stress pattern follows German: ge-SUND-heit. Often Anglicized slightly but the main stress is on the second syllable.
- Falling intonation, as it's a statement/wish.
Generation Differences
- Used across generations, perhaps slightly more common among older generations or those with German heritage, but still widely known and used.
Regional Variations
- Very common in American English.
- Less common, but understood, in British, Australian, and NZ English, where Bless you is the dominant form.