die  Lehne

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈleːnə/

🛋️ What exactly is a Lehne?

The word die Lehne (noun, feminine) refers to a part of seating furniture (like a Stuhl (chair), Sessel (armchair), or Sofa) or a seat in a vehicle, which is intended for leaning against or resting one's arm on.

• Rückenlehne: The part you lean your back against (backrest).
• Armlehne: The part you can place your arm on (armrest).

So, it's an umbrella term for these supporting elements.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of die Lehne in Detail

The noun „Lehne“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Der alte Sessel hat eine sehr bequeme Lehne.
   (The old armchair has a very comfortable back/armrest.)
2. Bitte lehne dich nicht mit den Schuhen an die Lehne des Vordersitzes!
   (Please don't lean on the backrest of the front seat with your shoes!)
3. Die Lehnen dieser Stühle sind aus Holz gefertigt.
   (The backrests/armrests of these chairs are made of wood.)
4. Er stützte seinen Arm auf die Lehne des Sofas.
   (He rested his arm on the armrest of the sofa.)

💡 How to use "die Lehne"?

The term "Lehne" is primarily used in the context of furniture and seats. One speaks of:

• Stuhllehne: The backrest of a chair.
• Sessel-Lehne: The backrest/armrest of an armchair.
• Sofalehne: The backrest/armrest of a sofa.
• Autositzlehne: The backrest of a car seat.
• Banklehne: The backrest of a bench.

It's a general term. If you want to be more specific, you use Rückenlehne (backrest) or Armlehne (armrest). The verb directly related to "Lehne" is lehnen (to lean).

🧠 Mnemonics for Lehne

Article Mnemonic: Die Lehne ends in -e, like many feminine nouns in German. Imagine an elegant lady (eine Dame) leaning (lehnt) gracefully against die Lehne.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from the verb "lehnen" (to lean). A Lehne is simply the part you lean on. Easy!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Lehen (das): A historical term for a fief or granted land/rights. Completely different meaning!
• lehnen (verb): The action of leaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Stuhl eine Lehne?
Damit er sich auch mal zurücklehnen und entspannen kann! 😉

(Why does the chair have a backrest?
So it can also lean back and relax sometimes! 😉)

📜 Poem about the Lehne

Ein Stuhl, er stand im Raum allein,
mit Sitzfläche, so fein.
Doch was ihm Halt und Ruhe gibt,
ist die Lehne, sehr beliebt.

Ob Arm, ob Rücken, sie hält gut,
verleiht uns neuen Lebensmut.
Nach Arbeit, Last und Tagesmüh',e.

(A chair, it stood alone in the room,
with a seat surface, so fine.
But what gives it support and rest,
is the Lehne, well-loved.)

(Whether arm or back, it holds well,
gives us new courage for life.
After work, burden, and daily toil,
one gladly leans on it (her - feminine noun).)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich gehöre zum Stuhl, zum Sofa, zum Sitz,
gebe Halt und Stütze, das ist kein Witz.
Dein Rücken und Arm, sie ruhen an mir,
wer oder was bin ich, sag es mir!

(I belong to the chair, the sofa, the seat,
I give support and hold, that's no joke/trick.
Your back and arm, they rest on me,
who or what am I, tell me!)

Solution: die Lehne

🧩 Further Information

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

The word "Lehne" is often part of compound nouns (Komposita) to specify the type of rest:

• Arm (arm) + Lehne = Armlehne (armrest)
• Rücken (back) + Lehne = Rückenlehne (backrest)
• Stuhl (chair) + Lehne = Stuhllehne (chair backrest)
• Kopf (head) + Lehne = Kopflehne (headrest - often called Kopfstütze)

Etymology:

The word "Lehne" derives directly from the verb "lehnen" (to lean), which clearly reflects its function – something to lean on.