das  Glied

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡliːt/

📖 What does "das Glied" mean?

The German word das Glied (noun, neuter) has several meanings:

• Body Part / Limb 💪: A movable part of the body, especially arms and legs (often plural: die Gliedmaßen - limbs). It is also commonly used to refer to the penis (medically or colloquially).
• Part of a Whole 🔗: An element or component of a chain, a series, a structure, or an organization. Example: das Kettenglied (chain link), das Glied einer mathematischen Reihe (term of a mathematical series).
• Member of a Group 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦: A person as part of a community, family, or organization (less common than das Mitglied). Example: Er ist ein wichtiges Glied der Gesellschaft. (He is an important member/link of society.)

⚠️ Caution: The meaning "penis" is widespread, but depending on the context, the word can also be used neutrally for other body parts or abstract parts.

🧐 Grammar of "das Glied" in Detail

"Glied" is a noun of neuter gender. The article is das.

Declension Singular

Note: The genitive singular can be "Gliedes" or "Glieds"; the dative singular can be "Glied" or (less commonly) "Gliede".

Declension Plural

Example Sentences for Grammar

1. Der Arm ist ein Glied des menschlichen Körpers. (The arm is a limb of the human body.)
2. Die Funktion des Gliedes ist eingeschränkt. (The function of the limb is restricted.)
3. Mit diesem schwachen Glied kann die Kette reißen. (With this weak link, the chain can break.)
4. Er betrachtete das fehlende Glied in der Beweiskette. (He looked at the missing link in the chain of evidence.)
5. Die Glieder der Kette sind stark verbunden. (The links of the chain are strongly connected.)
6. Die Stärke der Glieder bestimmt die Stärke der Kette. (The strength of the links determines the strength of the chain.)
7. Die Krankheit äußert sich oft in den Gliedern. (The illness often manifests in the limbs.)
8. Er streckte seine müden Glieder aus. (He stretched his tired limbs.)

💡 How to Use "das Glied"?

The use of das Glied heavily depends on the context:

• Anatomy/Medicine: Often refers to extremities (die Gliedmaßen) or specifically the penis (das männliche Glied - the male member). In the latter case, it can be neutral-medical or colloquial.
• Technology/Structures: As part of a chain (Kettenglied), a series, or a logical sequence (Bindeglied - connecting link).
• Sociology/Organization: Less commonly used for a member of a group; das Mitglied is more usual here. Example: Jeder Einzelne ist ein Glied in der Kette der Generationen. (Every individual is a link in the chain of generations.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Das Mitglied: Used almost exclusively for people in groups, clubs, parties, etc. Glied can also refer to inanimate parts.
• Der Teil: Is more general and can denote almost any segment or piece of something. Glied often implies a connection or function within a larger system (chain, body).
• Die Extremität: Technical term for arms and legs. Gliedmaßen (plural of Glied) is a common synonym.

🚨 Avoid confusion: Depending on the context, das Glied can be ambiguous, especially due to the colloquial meaning "penis". When in doubt, use more precise terms like Körperteil (body part), Extremität (extremity), Bestandteil (component), or Mitglied (member).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Glied"

Article Mnemonic

Think of a small, neutral thing (*das* is the neuter article) that forms a connection, like a little chain *link* or a component – it's SOMETHING, *das Ding*, that connects. *Das* thing, *das* Glied.

Meaning Mnemonic

A *Glied* is like a LEGO brick: it can be part of your body (an arm-*Glied*), part of a chain (a *Ketten*-Glied), or even part of a family/group (a *Familien*-Glied). It's always a *connected part* of a larger whole. Think of it being 'glued' (sounds a bit like Glied) into place.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Glied"

Similar but different words:

• Das Mitglied: Refers specifically to people in organizations/groups.
• Die Gilde: A historical guild of craftsmen or merchants (different word!).

😄 A Little Joke

DE: Warum war das Kettenglied traurig?

Es fühlte sich immer so abhängig von den anderen!

EN: Why was the chain link sad?

It always felt so dependent on the others!

✍️ Poem about "das Glied"

DE:
Ein Glied, ganz klein, an einer Kette schwer,
hält fest zusammen, kreuz und quer.
Ein Teil vom Ganzen, stark und schlicht,
ohne es fehlt das Gleichgewicht.

Am Körper auch, mal Arm, mal Bein,
als Glied bekannt, mal groß, mal klein.
Beweglich, nützlich, wunderbar,
ein Teil von uns, das ist doch klar.

EN:
A link (Glied), quite small, on a heavy chain,
holds tightly together, again and again.
A part of the whole, strong and plain,
without it, balance can't remain.

On the body too, now arm, now leg,
known as a limb (Glied), don't need to beg.
Movable, useful, wonderful thing,
a part of us, the joy it can bring.

🧩 Riddle Time

DE:
Ich kann Teil deines Körpers sein,
doch auch in einer Kette fein.
Manchmal bin ich ein Mann sein Stolz,
manchmal nur aus Metall und Holz.

Was bin ich?

EN:
I can be part of your body, it's true,
But also in a fine chain for you.
Sometimes I'm a man's pride, it's said,
Sometimes just made of metal or wood instead.

What am I?

Solution: das Glied (limb/link/member)

🤓 Other Information

Etymology (Word Origin)

The word "Glied" comes from Middle High German "gelit" and Old High German "gilid", which originally meant "joint" or "movable part". It is related to the word "Gelenk" (joint). The meaning expanded from mere movability to the movable body part and then to parts of structures.

Compound Words (Wortbildungen)

There are many compound words with "Glied":

• Gliedmaßen: limbs (arms and legs)
• Kettenglied: chain link
• Bindeglied: connecting link
• Gliederschmerzen: aching limbs
• Gliederung: structure, outline (e.g., of a text)
• Eingliedern: to integrate, incorporate