der  Körper

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkœʁpɐ/

🧍 What does 'der Körper' mean?

Der Körper (noun, masculine) primarily means the body, the physical structure of a living being, especially a human or animal. It includes all organs, limbs, and tissues that form the material shell.

There are also figurative meanings:

• Astronomy: A Himmelskörper (celestial body, e.g., planet, star).
• Geometry: A three-dimensional geometric shape (e.g., Würfel - cube, Kugel - sphere).
• Physics: An object with mass and volume.
• Sociology/Organization: A Körperschaft (corporate body, e.g., an organization, committee).

⚠️ Note that der Körper is always masculine, regardless of its specific meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Körper' in Detail

The noun der Körper is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

📖 Example Sentences

1. Der menschliche Körper ist ein komplexes System.
   (The human body is a complex system.)
2. Die Untersuchung des Körpers ergab keine Auffälligkeiten.
   (The examination of the body revealed no abnormalities.)
3. Sie widmet ihrem Körper viel Aufmerksamkeit durch Sport und Ernährung.
   (She pays a lot of attention to her body through sport and nutrition.)
4. Er trainiert seinen Körper jeden Tag im Fitnessstudio.
   (He trains his body every day at the gym.)
5. Planeten sind Himmelskörper.
   (Planets are celestial bodies.)
6. Die Anziehungskraft der Körper wurde berechnet.
   (The gravitational pull of the bodies was calculated.)
7. Wir lernen etwas über geometrische Körpern in Mathematik.
   (We are learning about geometric bodies/solids in math.)
8. Die Ausstellung zeigte verschiedene Skulpturen menschlicher Körper.
   (The exhibition showed various sculptures of human bodies.)

💡 How to use 'Körper'?

Der Körper is most commonly used to refer to the physical body of humans or animals.

• Everyday language: "Mein ganzer Körper tut weh." (My whole body hurts.), "Sie hat einen gesunden Körper." (She has a healthy body.)
• Medicine/Biology: Technical terms like Fremdkörper (foreign body), Antikörper (antibody), Körpertemperatur (body temperature).
• Abstract contexts: As mentioned earlier, in astronomy (Himmelskörper - celestial body), geometry (geometrischer Körper - geometric solid), physics, or figuratively for organizations (Körperschaft - corporate body, although this is its own word, it shares the idea of a 'complete whole').

Comparison:

• Leib: Often synonymous with Körper, but slightly more elevated or archaic, often emphasizing the living aspect or the torso (e.g., "Leib und Seele" - body and soul).
• Gestalt: Refers more to the outer shape or figure of a body.
• Organismus: Emphasizes the functioning biological system.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Körper'

Mnemonic for the article (der):

Imagine a strong man – DER strong man has a strong Körper (body). Masculine strength helps remember 'der'. Or think: The core (Kör-) of a man (der) is his body.

Mnemonic for the meaning (Body):

Think of the military corps (sounds like Körper). A military corps is a large body of soldiers. Corps -> Körper -> Body.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Körbchen: Diminutive of Korb (small basket), sounds similar but is unrelated.
• Körperschaft: A corporate body or legal entity; derived, but has a specific meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Haben Sie etwas für Ihren Körper getan heute?" Patient: "Ja, ich habe ihn aus dem Bett gequält!"

English: The doctor asks the patient: "Did you do anything for your body today?" Patient: "Yes, I tortured it out of bed!"

📜 A Poem about the Body

German:
Der Körper, stark und auch mal schwach,
trägt uns durch Nacht und jeden Tag.
Mal schnell, mal langsam, Schritt für Schritt,
nimmt uns auf jede Reise mit.

Von Kopf bis Fuß ein Wunderwerk,
mal leicht wie Feder, mal wie Berg.
Hör auf ihn, pfleg ihn, halt ihn rein,
er ist dein Haus, lass Sonne rein!

English Translation:
The body, strong and sometimes weak,
carries us through night and every day's peak.
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, step by step,
takes us along on every trip.

From head to toe a marvel grand,
sometimes light as feather, sometimes like mountain land.
Listen to it, care for it, keep it clean,
it is your house, let sunshine in!

🧩 Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe Arme, doch kann nicht umarmen.
Ich habe Beine, doch kann nicht laufen.
Ich habe einen Kopf, doch kann nicht denken.
Ich trage dich durchs Leben, von Anfang bis Ende.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I have arms, but cannot hug.
I have legs, but cannot run.
I have a head, but cannot think.
I carry you through life, from beginning to end.

What am I?

Solution: Der Körper (The body)

✨ More Interesting Facts

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word Körper is part of many compound nouns:

• Körperpflege (body care)
• Körperhaltung (posture)
• Körperteil (body part)
• Körpergewicht (body weight)
• Fremdkörper (foreign object/body)
• Himmelskörper (celestial body)
• Antikörper (antibody)

Etymology: The word comes from the Latin corpus (body, corpse, whole), which entered Middle High German (körper) via Old High German (korpar).