der  Rumpf

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁʊmpf/

💡 What does "der Rumpf" mean?

The word der Rumpf (masculine) has several meanings, but mostly refers to the main part or core of something:

• 🧍 Body part: The central part of the human or animal body, excluding the head, neck, and limbs. Synonyms include Torso or Körperstamm (body trunk). This is often referred to as the trunk or torso in English.
• ✈️ Aircraft part: The main body of an aircraft, to which the wings, tail unit, and landing gear are attached. This is the fuselage.
• 🚢 Ship part: The main body of a ship or boat that sits in the water. This is the hull.

• 🧱 General/Figurative: The remaining main part or core of something after parts have been removed (e.g., Rumpfmannschaft - skeleton crew, Rumpfparlament - rump parliament).

⚠️ There is only one article, der, for Rumpf, which simplifies things.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Rumpf" in Detail

The noun der Rumpf is masculine. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension

Examples ✍️

1. Der Rumpf des alten Schiffes war mit Muscheln bedeckt.
   (The hull of the old ship was covered with shells.)
2. Beim Sport trainiert er besonders seinen Rumpf.
   (When exercising, he particularly trains his torso.)
3. Nach dem Unfall war nur noch der Rumpf des Flugzeugs übrig.
   (After the accident, only the fuselage of the aircraft remained.)
4. Die Konferenz fand nur noch mit einem Rumpf der Teilnehmer statt.
   (The conference only took place with a rump of the participants.)
5. Die Stabilität des Rumpfes ist entscheidend für die Flugsicherheit.
   (The stability of the fuselage is crucial for flight safety.)

🗣️ How to use "Rumpf"?

The term Rumpf is used specifically depending on the context:

• Anatomy: When talking about the human or animal body, der Rumpf refers to the part between the neck and the legs/hind limbs (the torso/trunk).
• Technology (Aviation/Shipping): Here, der Rumpf is the central structural body. One speaks of the Flugzeugrumpf (fuselage) or Schiffsrumpf (hull, also Bootsrumpf for boats).
• Figurative: If only the core or a small remnant of an organization, committee, or thing is left, one can metaphorically speak of a Rumpf (e.g., Rumpfregierung - rump government, Rumpfprogramm - skeleton program).

Difference from 'Körper': While Körper means the entire body/organism, Rumpf only refers to the central part of it.

Difference from 'Torso': Torso is often synonymous with Rumpf in the anatomical sense, but is sometimes used more specifically for statues without limbs or sounds slightly more formal/medical.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Rumpf"

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der' strong man (masculine article) with a muscular Rumpf (torso). The strength helps remember der.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the main part of a ship's hull, a plane's fuselage, or a person's trunk - they all contain a 'U' sound, somewhat like the 'u' in Rumpf. It's the central 'lump' or core.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• Stamm: Can mean the trunk of a tree (Baumstamm), but also origin/tribe (Familienstamm - family line).
• Körper: Refers to the entire body, not just the trunk/torso.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Flugzeugflügel den Rumpf: „Na, wie fühlst du dich heute?“ Sagt der Rumpf: „Ganz schön hohl, aber bereit abzuheben!“

(The airplane wing asks the fuselage: "Well, how are you feeling today?" Says the fuselage: "Pretty hollow, but ready for takeoff!")

📜 Poem about the Rumpf

Der Rumpf, das Herz, ob Tier, ob Mann,
Der Mitte Kraft, die halten kann.
Am Schiff durch Wellen, stark und breit,
Am Flugzeug durch die Himmelsweit'.

Er trägt die Last, ist Kern und Grund,
Ein starker Rumpf bleibt stets gesund.
Ob Torso, Zelle, Schiffsgestalt,
Er gibt die Form, er gibt den Halt.

(The trunk, the heart, of beast or man,
The center's strength, that holds the plan.
On ships through waves, so strong and wide,
On planes through heavens, side by side.

It bears the load, is core and base,
A sturdy trunk finds health and grace.
Be it torso, airframe, vessel's form,
It gives the shape, it braves the storm.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe weder Kopf noch Bein,
bin doch der Körper – groß und klein.
Mal lieg ich tief im Wasser drin,
Mal flieg ich hoch mit Zugewinn.
An mir hängt alles, was dran muss,
von Flügeln bis zum Schiffskajus.

Wer bin ich?

(I have no head nor leg,
yet I'm the body - small and big.
Sometimes I lie deep in the sea,
Sometimes I fly high, wild and free.
Everything needed hangs on me,
from wings down to the ship's settee [poetic license for 'cabin'].

What am I?)

Solution: Der Rumpf (the torso / hull / fuselage)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung): Rumpf can be part of compound nouns that specify its meaning:

• Schiffsrumpf: Ship's hull.
• Flugzeugrumpf: Aircraft fuselage.
• Rumpfbeuge: Trunk bend (a type of gymnastic exercise).
• Rumpfmannschaft: Skeleton crew/team.
• Rumpfgeschwindigkeit: Hull speed (maximum speed of a displacement hull related to its waterline length).

Etymology: The word comes from the Middle High German word rumph, which already designated the body without limbs or a hollowed-out object.