das  Knie

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kniː/

🦵 What does "das Knie" mean?

Das Knie (noun, neuter) refers to the joint that connects the thigh (Oberschenkel) with the lower leg (Unterschenkel) and allows the leg to bend. It's a central part of the human (and animal) musculoskeletal system.

There is only this one article for this word in its main meaning. It's an important part of the body (Körper).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Knie

The word „Knie“ is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nach dem langen Lauf schmerzte ihr das Knie.
   (Her knee hurt after the long run.)
2. Das Kind fiel hin und schlug sich die Knie auf.
   (The child fell down and scraped its knees.)
3. Er ging vor ihr auf die Knie und machte ihr einen Heiratsantrag.
   (He got down on his knees before her and proposed.)
4. Beim Skifahren ist die Belastung für die Knie besonders hoch.
   (When skiing, the strain on the knees is particularly high.)
5. Der Arzt untersuchte das Knie des Patienten gründlich.
   (The doctor examined the patient's knee thoroughly.)

💡 How to use "das Knie"

The word „Knie“ is mainly used in anatomical and medical contexts, but also appears in many everyday idioms.

• Anatomy/Medicine: Describing body parts, injuries (e.g., Knieverletzung - knee injury, Meniskusriss - meniscus tear), surgeries (e.g., Knie-OP - knee surgery).
• Sports: In connection with strain, risk of injury, or specific movements (e.g., Kniebeuge - squat).
• Everyday Life/Idioms:
  • jemanden in die Knie zwingen: to bring someone to their knees (to defeat someone, force them to give up).
  • etwas übers Knie brechen: to rush something, act hastily (literally 'to break something over the knee').
  • auf die Knie fallen/gehen: to fall/get down on one's knees (to beg humbly, worship, propose marriage).
  • weiche Knie bekommen: to get weak knees (to become scared or nervous).
  • bis zum Knie im Wasser stehen: to stand knee-deep in water.

It's a very common word understood in many contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Knie"

Article Mnemonic

Think of it like this: Many joints (Gelenke) in German are neuter. Just like das Gelenk (the joint) itself, it's also das Knie. Or, imagine a neutral, scientific drawing of a leg – the focus is on das Knie, the functional, neuter part.

Meaning Mnemonic

The English word "knee" and the German word "Knie" are very similar (cognates). They both start with 'kn'. If you know the English word, the German one is easy to remember. Knie = Knee.

🔄 Synonyms & Related Terms

Synonyms (similar meaning):

• Gelenk (zwischen Ober- und Unterschenkel): Joint (between thigh and lower leg) - A more general term, but often understandable in context.

Antonyms (opposites):

There are no direct antonyms for body parts like the knee. One could, however, name joints with opposite functions or positions, but this isn't a true antonym (e.g., Ellbogen - elbow on the arm).

Related Terms (could be confused or are thematically related):

• Kniescheibe (Patella): Kneecap.
• Kniekehle: The hollow/bend at the back of the knee.
• Kniebeuge: Squat (sports exercise).
• knietief: Knee-deep (adjective).
• Ellbogen: Elbow - the corresponding joint in the arm (Note: it's der Ellbogen).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: „Haben Sie Wasser im Knie?“ Patient: „Nein, Herr Doktor, nur Milch. Ich bin doch auf die Milchtüte gefallen!“

English Translation: The doctor asks the patient: "Do you have water on the knee?" Patient: "No, doctor, only milk. I fell on the milk carton!"

📜 A Knee Poem

German:
Das Knie, das Knie, so stark und schlicht,
trägt uns durchs Leben, hält Gewicht.
Es beugt sich tief, es streckt sich lang,
ob beim Tanzen oder Spaziergang.
Manchmal tut's weh, nach Sturz und Fall,
doch heilt es meist, beim nächsten Knall.
Drum pflege gut dein Kniegelenk,
es ist ein kostbares Geschenk!

English Translation:
The knee, the knee, so strong and plain,
\carries us through life, bears the strain.
It bends down low, it stretches tall,
whether dancing or walking through the hall.
Sometimes it hurts, after a trip and fall,
but mostly heals, after the next squall.
So care well for your knee joint,
it's a precious gift, a vital point!

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich verbinde Oben mit Unten am Bein,
und lass dich sitzen auf dem Stein.
Manchmal bekommst du weiche von mir,
beim Heiratsantrag liegst du auf mir schier.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Knie)

English Translation:
I connect top to bottom on the leg,
and let you sit down on a stone, I beg.
Sometimes I make you feel weak and shy,
when proposing marriage, upon me you lie.

What am I? (Answer: the knee)

💡 More about das Knie

• Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word "Knie" is part of many compound nouns, e.g., Knieschoner (knee pads), Kniebundhose (knee breeches), Kniegelenk (knee joint), Kniebandage (knee bandage), Kniefall (genuflection, falling to one's knees).
• Etymology: The word comes from the Old High German „kniu“ and has relatives in many Germanic languages (cf. English "knee").
• Cultural Significance: Bending the knees or genuflecting (der Kniefall) has symbolic meaning in many cultures (humility, submission, worship, marriage proposal).