der
Ellenbogen
🦴 What exactly is an Ellenbogen?
The German word der Ellenbogen (also sometimes written: Ellbogen) refers to the elbow, the joint connecting the upper arm bone (Humerus) with the two forearm bones (Ulna and Radius). It allows for bending and straightening the forearm, as well as rotational movements (Pronation and Supination).
It's a complex joint (Gelenk) that is constantly used in everyday life. 🧍
⚠️ Attention: The spelling Ellbogen is also correct, but Ellenbogen is the recommended and more common variant according to the Duden dictionary.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-en → mostly masculine.
1. All diminutives with '-chen' are neutral, like 'das Mädchen'. 2. Nouns derived from verbs are always neutral ('das Schrieben'). 3. There are many -en words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar: Der, des, dem, den Ellenbogen?
The noun "Ellenbogen" is masculine. Its declension is as follows:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Ellenbogen |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Ellenbogens |
| Dative (To/For whom?) | dem | Ellenbogen |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Ellenbogen |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ellenbogen |
| Genitive | der | Ellenbogen |
| Dative | den | Ellenbogen |
| Accusative | die | Ellenbogen |
Example Sentences ✍️
- Nominativ: Der Ellenbogen schmerzt nach dem Stoß.
(The elbow hurts after the bump.) - Genitiv: Die Verletzung des Ellenbogens ist kompliziert.
(The injury of the elbow is complicated.) - Dativ: Ich habe mir dem Ellenbogen wehgetan. (Colloquially often: Ich habe mir am Ellenbogen wehgetan.)
(I hurt my elbow.) - Akkusativ: Er stützte den Ellenbogen auf den Tisch.
(He rested his elbow on the table.) - Plural: Die Spieler setzten im Gedränge oft die Ellenbogen ein.
(The players often used their elbows in the crowd.)
💡 How to Use "Ellenbogen"?
The term "Ellenbogen" is primarily used anatomically to describe the joint.
However, there are also important figurative meanings and idioms:
- Die Ellenbogen gebrauchen/einsetzen: This means to assert oneself ruthlessly, to push others aside to achieve one's goals (literally 'to use the elbows'). Example: In dieser Branche muss man oft die Ellenbogen einsetzen, um erfolgreich zu sein. (In this industry, one often has to use their elbows to be successful.)
- Sich auf die Ellenbogen stützen: A typical posture when thinking or relaxing ('to lean on one's elbows'). Example: Er stützte sich auf die Ellenbogen und blickte aus dem Fenster. (He leaned on his elbows and looked out the window.)
- Ellenbogen an Ellenbogen: Very close together ('elbow to elbow'). Example: Wir saßen Ellenbogen an Ellenbogen im vollen Bus. (We sat elbow to elbow in the crowded bus.)
Compared to Gelenk (joint), Ellenbogen is specific to this particular body part.
🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER strong arm – and it has an elbow. Men (der Mann) proverbially often 'use their elbows'.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of Elle (an old measure of length, like the forearm, also the Ulna bone) and Bogen (bow, bend, curve). Imagine the Bogen (bend) your arm makes when you flex it at the Elle – that's the Ellenbogen.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
- Ellbogen: Alternative, less common spelling.
- Armbeuge (partially): Refers more to the inner crook of the bent arm, not the joint itself.
- Gelenk (general): Generic term for 'joint', not specific.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for body parts like the elbow. One could potentially name joints with opposite functions or locations (e.g., Knie - knee), but this doesn't represent a direct contrast.
Words That Could Cause Confusion
- Elle: One of the two bones in the forearm (Ulna), not the joint itself.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum sind Ellenbogen so unsozial?
Weil sie immer versuchen, sich überall reinzudrängen! 😉
EN: Why are elbows so unsociable?
Because they're always trying to muscle their way in everywhere! 😉
📜 A Little Poem
DE:
Der Ellenbogen, spitz und krumm,
stößt manchmal andre um.
Doch dient er auch, den Arm zu beugen,
kann Stärke und Geschick bezeugen.
Ein Gelenk, so wichtig, klein,
macht uns beweglich, agil und fein.
EN Translation:
The elbow, pointy and bent,
sometimes knocks others over, heaven-sent.
But it also serves to bend the arm,
can testify to strength and charm.
A joint, so important, small,
makes us mobile, agile, standing tall.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich verbinde oben mit unten am Arm,
halte dich beim Stützen warm.
Manchmal bin ich spitz und rau,
setz mich durch, das weißt du genau!
Beugen, strecken, das ist mein Sinn,
sag schnell, wer oder was ich bin?
EN Translation:
I connect top with bottom on the arm,
keep you steady when leaning, safe from harm.
Sometimes I'm pointy and rough, you see,
I push my way through, you know that's me!
Bending, stretching, that's my purpose within,
tell me quickly, who or what I've been?
Solution: Der Ellenbogen (The elbow)
🧩 More Tidbits about der Ellenbogen
Word Composition (Etymology):
The word "Ellenbogen" is a compound of:
- Elle: Originally a unit of length corresponding to the length of the forearm (from the tip of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger). Later also the name for the forearm bone (Ulna).
- Bogen: Refers to the 'bend' or 'curve' of the arm at this point.
So, it literally describes the 'bend at the forearm'.
Interesting Fact: The so-called 'funny bone' (in German sometimes Musikantenknochen or Musikknochen) is not actually a bone, but a nerve (Ulnar nerve - Nervus ulnaris) that runs very close to the surface at the elbow. Hitting it causes an unpleasant, tingling or 'electric' sensation.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ellenbogen?
The word "Ellenbogen" is always masculine. The correct article is: der Ellenbogen. The plural is "die Ellenbogen".