taub
/taʊ̯p/
The English word 'numb' can be translated into German using several forms, most commonly taub. Wiktionary also lists benommen and gefühllos.
Meaning: physically unable to feel (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| taub | /taʊ̯p/ |
| benommen | |
| gefühllos | /ɡəˈfyːˌloːs/ |
The primary way to express being physically unable to feel is with the adjective taub. You can also use the related verb betäuben, which means to cause to become numb.
Which one should you use?
Use taub when referring to a physical loss of sensation, such as from cold or a limb falling asleep. In contrast, use gefühllos to describe a person who is emotionally numb or lacks empathy, rather than a physical sensation. The word benommen is another form available, while betäubt is the past participle used to describe a state of being numbed, often by medication or a blow to the head. Informally, the phrase wie betäubt translates to "like numbed" and describes a state of being temporarily stunned or paralyzed.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/taʊ̯p/
Did you know?
- In German, if you say your fingers are taub, you are using the same word one would use to say they are 'deaf'.
- The word doof, often used informally to mean 'stupid', is a linguistic doublet of the root found in taub.
- The German word betäuben is used not only for physical numbness but also in the context of 'numbing' or 'stunning' an opponent in combat or games.
Examples in context
- Meine linke Hand ist taub.My left hand is numb.This sentence is useful for describing a specific body part that is taub.Tatoeba #812154 by Manfredo, translation #499957 by blay_paul
- Die Schwimmer waren taub vor Kälte.The swimmers were numb with cold.This sentence uses taub to describe the effect of cold on swimmers.Tatoeba #634410 by Dejo, translation #26417 by CK
- Meine Finger sind so kalt, dass sie taub geworden sind.My fingers are so cold they have gone numb.This sentence shows the use of taub regarding fingers becoming numb due to cold.Tatoeba #1218872 by samueldora, translation #1153548 by FiRez
- Sein Arm fühlte sich taub an.His arm felt numb.
- Sie blieb gefühllos, als er ihr die schlechten Nachrichten überbrachte.She remained numb when he delivered the bad news to her.
- Der Schreck ließ sie wie betäubt stehen.The shock left her standing there, numb.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are sitting on a cold bench.
- HannahMein Bein ist schon ganz taub.My leg is already completely numb.
- JulianDas liegt an der kalten Luft.That is because of the cold air.
- HannahIch kann meinen Fuß kaum spüren.I can hardly feel my foot.
- JulianDann sollten wir jetzt lieber gehen.Then we should probably go now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “numb” translations and entries taub, benommen, gefühllos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries benommen, gefühllos, taub, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
