der  Schenkel

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃɛŋkl̩/

🦵 What exactly is a Schenkel?

The German word der Schenkel has several meanings:

• Anatomy (Human & Animal): Refers to the thigh, the part of the leg between the hip and the knee. Example: Er hat sich beim Sport den Schenkel gezerrt. (He pulled his thigh muscle during sports.)
• Geometry: Refers to one of the two lines forming an angle. Example: Die beiden Schenkel des rechten Winkels stehen senkrecht aufeinander. (The two legs of the right angle are perpendicular to each other.)
• Tools (e.g., compass): Refers to the movable parts of a compass or pliers. Example: Die Schenkel des Zirkels waren verbogen. (The legs of the compass were bent.)
• Gastronomy (Animal): Often used synonymously for the leg or drumstick of an animal, especially poultry. Example: Zum Mittagessen gibt es Hähnchenschenkel. (We're having chicken legs/thighs for lunch.)

🚨 Important: In everyday language, "Schenkel" usually refers to the thigh.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Schenkel' in Detail

The noun "Schenkel" is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der rechte Schenkel tut ihm weh.
   (His right thigh hurts.)
2. Die Länge des Schenkels des Dreiecks beträgt 5 cm.
   (The length of the triangle's leg is 5 cm.)
3. Er legte eine Hand auf seinen Schenkel.
   (He placed a hand on his thigh.)
4. Sie massierte ihren müden Schenkel.
   (She massaged her tired thigh.)
5. Die Schenkel des Läufers sind sehr muskulös.
   (The runner's thighs are very muscular.)
6. Die Bewegung der Schenkel ist beim Tanzen wichtig.
   (The movement of the thighs is important in dancing.)
7. Mit starken Schenkeln tritt er in die Pedale.
   (He pedals with strong thighs.)
8. Er trainiert seine Schenkel im Fitnessstudio.
   (He trains his thighs at the gym.)

💡 How 'Schenkel' is Used

• Everyday Life / Anatomy: When talking about one's own body or that of animals, it usually means the thigh. "Mir ist kalt an den Schenkeln." (My thighs are cold.)
• In Geometry: Context is key here. You talk about the Schenkel eines Winkels (legs/sides of an angle) or eines gleichschenkligen Dreiecks (isosceles triangle).
• In Cooking / Food: Especially with poultry, people talk about Hähnchenschenkel (chicken thighs/legs) or Putenschenkel (turkey legs).
• With Tools: Compasses, pliers, or similar instruments have Schenkel (legs/arms).
• Colloquially / Idiom: "Sich auf die Schenkel klopfen" (literally: to slap one's thighs) means to laugh heartily.

⚠️ Potential Confusion: Sometimes people say "Bein" (leg) when they actually mean "Schenkel" (thigh). However, "Bein" refers to the entire limb from hip to foot.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Schenkel'

Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong man (der Mann) with muscular thighs. Der strong Schenkel. The word ends in -el, which is often masculine.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone giving you a 'shank' (sounds like Schenk-) on the thigh as a friendly gesture. Or think of the legs (Schenkel) of a compass 'shanking' out a circle.

🔄 Similar and Related Terms

⚠️ Caution: "Bein" (leg) isn't always a synonym, as it refers to the whole limb.

😂 A Little Chuckle (Schenkelklopfer)

German: Warum tragen Skelette keine Hosen?

Weil sie keine Schenkel zum Reinschlupfen haben, nur Knochen!

English: Why don't skeletons wear pants?

Because they don't have any thighs (Schenkel) to slip into them, just bones!

📜 Poem about Schenkel

German:
Der Schenkel, stark und auch grazil,
ob Mensch, ob Tier, er kann sehr viel.
Er trägt uns weit, bei Schritt und Sprung,
\hält uns im Leben stets in Schwung.

Im Dreieck auch, da ist er wichtig,
\zwei Seiten gleich, das ist dann richtig,
\ein Winkel braucht sie, ohne Frage,
die Schenkel sind's an jedem Tage.

English:
The thigh, both strong and also grace,
On man or beast, sets life's fast pace.
It carries us with stride and leap,
While vital energy does keep.

In triangles, it plays its part,
Two equal sides make a true start,
An angle needs them, it's no lie,
The legs (Schenkel) are there, beneath the sky.

🤔 Little Riddle

German:
Ich hab zwei Arme, doch kann nichts greifen,
zeichne Kreise, ohne zu schleifen.
Am Körper trag ich dich, mal dick, mal dünn,
und beim Hähnchen schmecke ich als Keule gut drin.

Was bin ich?
(... Der Schenkel)

English:
I have two arms, but cannot grasp,
Draw circles true, a simple task.
On bodies found, both thick and thin,
And tasty as chicken leg tucked in.

What am I?
(... Der Schenkel / the thigh/leg)

✨ More Tidbits

• Word Origin: The word "Schenkel" comes from Old High German "scinkel" or "scenka", which originally meant lower leg or shinbone. The shift in meaning to thigh occurred later. It's related to "Schinken" (ham).
• Idiom: "Sich (Dativ) etwas aus dem Schenkel leiern" (literally: to winch something out of one's thigh) means to have to painstakingly or artificially come up with something.
• Medicine: The thigh bone (Femurknochen) is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. A femoral neck fracture (Schenkelhalsbruch) is a common injury in older adults.