die  Narbe

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaʁbə/

🔍 What does "die Narbe" mean?

Die Narbe (noun, feminine) primarily refers to a permanent mark left on the skin (Haut) or other tissue after a wound (Wunde) has healed. It's scar tissue, which is less elastic than the original skin.

Figuratively, eine Narbe can also describe an emotional wound or a traumatic experience that has left lasting psychological marks (seelische Narbe - emotional scar).

Examples:

• Skin: Eine Operationsnarbe (a surgical scar), eine Brandnarbe (a burn scar).
• Figurative: Die Trennung hat tiefe Narben bei ihr hinterlassen. (*The separation left deep scars on her.*)

⚠️ Note: There is also a botanical meaning (part of a flower's pistil, the stigma), but this is less common in everyday language.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Narbe

The noun "Narbe" is feminine. The article is die.

Declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die Narbe an seiner Stirn ist kaum noch zu sehen.
   (The scar on his forehead is barely visible anymore.)
2. Nach der Operation blieb eine kleine Narbe zurück.
   (A small scar remained after the surgery.)
3. Er trägt die Narben seiner Vergangenheit mit sich.
   (He carries the scars of his past with him.)
4. Manche Narben sind nicht auf der Haut, sondern in der Seele.
   (Some scars are not on the skin, but in the soul.)

🗣️ How to use "Narbe"?

"Narbe" is often used in medical or everyday contexts when talking about injuries and their aftermath.

• Medicine/Body: In connection with operations (Operationen), accidents (Unfällen), burns (Verbrennungen), or other skin injuries (Hautverletzungen). (e.g., "Die Narbe verheilt gut." - The scar is healing well.)
• Figurative/Emotional: To describe long-lasting psychological wounds or the negative effects of past events. (e.g., "Der Krieg hinterließ tiefe Narben in der Gesellschaft." - The war left deep scars on society.)
• In Nature: Sometimes used for marks on plants or landscapes. (e.g., "Narben im Holz des Baumes." - Scars in the wood of the tree.)

The related verb is "vernarben" (a wound scars over / something scars over). (e.g., "Die Wunde ist gut vernarbt." - The wound has scarred over well.)

Compared to Schramme (more superficial scratch/graze) or Wunde (the acute injury), Narbe refers to the permanent state after healing.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Narbe"

Article Mnemonic: Many feminine German nouns end in -e, like "die Narbe". Imagine "shE" bears thE scar. The skin (die Haut, also feminine) carries the memory – the scar (die Narbe).

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a scar as being "narrowly avoided worse injury, but you still have this 'be'-ing on your skin." Or connect it to the English word "narrow" – a scar often starts as a narrow cut.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Patienten nach der Operation: "Na, wie gefällt Ihnen Ihre neue Narbe?"
Patient: "Ganz gut, aber nächstes Mal hätte ich sie gerne in einer anderen Schriftart!"

--- Translation ---

The doctor asks the patient after the operation: "So, how do you like your new scar?"
Patient: "It's quite nice, but next time I'd like it in a different font!"

✍️ Poem about a Scar

Ein Zeichen auf der Haut, so blass, Erzählt von Schmerz, von Leid und Nass.
Die Narbe spricht von längst vergang'ner Zeit,
Von Heilung und von Tapferkeit.
Ein Teil von dir, ein Stück Geschicht',
Im Sonnen- oder Mondenlicht.

--- Translation ---

A mark upon the skin, so pale,
Tells of pain, of woe and watery trail.
The scar relates a long past time,
Of healing and of brave sublime.
A part of you, a piece of lore,
In sunlight or in moonbeam's glore.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein stummer Zeuge,
wo Heilung einst geschah.
Mal bin ich fein, mal beuge
ich mich der Spannung da.
Auf Haut und Seel' zu finden,
nachdem die Wunde schwand.
Kann ich Geschichten künden
aus lang vergang'nem Land.

Was bin ich?
(Lösung / Solution: Die Narbe)

--- Translation ---

I am a silent witness,
Where healing once took place.
Sometimes I'm fine, sometimes I bend,
To tension in that space.
On skin and soul you'll find me,
After the wound has passed.
I can tell tales aplenty
Of times that didn't last.

What am I?
(Solution: Die Narbe - The scar)

➕ Other Information about Die Narbe

Etymology: The German word "Narbe" comes from Middle High German "narwe" or "narre", originally meaning "narrowing" or "contraction", describing the wound healing process. It's related to the word "kerben" (to notch, carve).

Botanical Meaning: In botany (Botanik), die Narbe (stigma) refers to the receptive tip of a flower's pistil, which collects pollen (Pollen). This meaning is specific to the field.