Bein
/baɪ̯n/neuter
The German word for leg is Bein.
Bein is the most common and widely accepted term used to refer to the leg.
Meaning: lower limb from groin to ankle (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Bein refers to the leg in general, more specific terms exist: Oberschenkel refers specifically to the upper part of the leg and Unterschenkel refers to the lower part of the leg below the knee. Additionally, Krücke is a different word entirely, meaning crutch.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form Bein is a neuter noun. To talk about more than one leg, use the plural form Beine. If you need to express possession or the genitive singular (e.g., 'of the leg'), use Beins.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- German speakers use the phrase die Beine in die Hand nehmen to describe running away very quickly. Literally, it means to 'take one's legs in one's hand'.
- While English distinguishes between 'leg' and 'bone', the Proto-Germanic root *bainą evolved to mean 'leg' in German and 'bone' in English.
- To tell someone to hurry up, you can use the idiomatic expression Beine machen, which literally translates to 'make legs'.
Examples in context
- Sie hebt ihr Bein.She lifts her leg.This sentence shows the use of Bein when someone lifts their leg.Tatoeba #8320764 by MisterTrouser, translation #12978065 by rul
- Tom hatte nur ein Bein.Tom had only one leg.This sentence uses Bein to indicate a person having only one leg.Tatoeba #1948421 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1025549 by CK
- Er brach sich das Bein.He broke his leg.This sentence uses Bein in the context of a broken leg.Tatoeba #8843643 by wolfgangth, translation #6782523 by Yougailes30
- Das Bein ist verletzt.The leg is injured.
- Der Patient hat seinen Unterschenkel gebrochen.The patient has broken his lower leg.
- Mein Bein tut weh.My leg hurts.
- Hast du dir das Bein gebrochen?Did you break your leg?
- Er benutzt Krücken, weil er sich das Bein gebrochen hat.He is using crutches because he broke his leg.
- 212 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are at a yoga class.
- JuliaKannst du dein linkes Bein heben?Can you lift your left leg?
- FelixDas Bein tut mir etwas weh.My leg hurts a little bit.
- JuliaSoll ich dir helfen, Felix?Should I help you, Felix?
- FelixNein, es geht schon wieder.No, it's okay now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leg” translations and entries Bein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
