About this list
A curated list of essential German body parts — organized into categories with translations and example sentences. A practical starting point for using these words in real conversations.
Let's learn the vocabulary for body parts in German. Learning the words for various body parts can be very useful when you're at the doctor or even just want to describe your friend's face.
Body Parts & Limbs
Knowing the most important body parts in German can be very useful in many situations. These words can help you explain health issues to a doctor, or give someone more detailed instructions when you are injured.
Let's have a look at words for the upper body first:
- der Oberkörperupper body
- der Armarm
- der Oberarmupperarm
- der Unterarmlower arm
- die Brustchest
- der Rückenback
- die Handhand
- die Hände (pl.)hands
- die Schultershoulder
- der Ellenbogenelbow
And now at some vocab for the lower body:
- das Beinleg
- die Beine (pl.)legs
- der Zehtoe
- die Zehentoes
But even if it's less serious than that, those words can come in pretty handy. For example, in situations where you just want to describe a person's physical features or tell a friend your honest opinion while you're clothes shopping.
Face & Head Vocabulary
Now let's have a look at German vocabulary for facial features: eye(s), mouth, nose and ear(s).
- das Augeeye
- die Augen (pl.)eyes
- die Nasenose
- das Ohrear
- die Haare (pl.)hair
- der Mundmouth
- die Zähne (pl.)teeth
- die Stirnforehead
- das Kinnchin
Examples of useful German vocabulary for facial features include die Nase (nose), die Stirn (forehead), die Augenbrauen (eyebrows), die Augen (eyes), die Wangen (cheeks), der Mund (mouth), and die Lippen (lips).
- der Kopfhead
- der Wangenknochencheekbone
- die Wimpereyelash
- die Wimpern (pl.)eyelashes
- das Ohrläppchenearlobe
- die Augenringe (pl.)dark circles (under the eyes)
- die Augenbrauen (pl.)eyebrows
- die Wangecheek
Additionally, knowing the German verbs tightly related to facial expressions, such as lächeln (smile), lachen (laugh), schauen (look), and weinen (cry), can be helpful in communicating with German speakers.
Hands & Fingers
- der Fingerfinger
- die Finger (pl.)fingers
- die Fingerkuppefingertip
- der Fingernagelfinger nail
- der Handrückenback of the hand
- die Handinnenseitepalm
- das Fingergelenkfinger joint
- das Handgelenkwrist
Well, apart from medical contexts & palm reading, knowing German vocabulary for words like "hand" or "finger" can also be useful in many other contexts, such as in the arts, when discussing crafts, when talking about sports, or when describing everyday objects and activities.
- der Daumenthumb
- der Zeigefingerindex finger (pointer)
- die Mittelfingermiddle finger
- der Ringfingerring finger
- der kleine Fingerlittle finger
Knowing the German words for these items can help to add nuance and detail to conversations and descriptions.