Hodensack
/ˈhoːdn̩zak/masculine
The English word 'scrotum' can be translated into German as Hodensack. Wiktionary also lists Skrotum.
Meaning: sac of skin that protects the testicles (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hodensack | /ˈhoːdn̩zak/ | masculine |
| Skrotum | /ˈskʁoːtʊm/ | neuter |
The term refers to the sac of skin that protects the testicles.
What does it mean word for word?
Hodensack is a compound noun consisting of Hoden, meaning 'testicle' and Sack, meaning 'sac' or 'bag'.
Which one should you use?
Skrotum is the technical medical term, while Hodensack is the common descriptive term used in everyday language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the masculine Hodensack is Hodensäcke. The plural of the neuter Skrotum is Skrota.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhoːdn̩zak/
Did you know?
- While Hodensack is the standard term, German speakers often use the more general word Eier ('eggs') to refer to the entire area including the scrotum.
- The word Sack is used in German idioms to describe a clumsy or useless person, such as in the phrase Faulsack, which literally means 'lazy sack'.
- While Skrotum is used in medical textbooks, using it in a casual conversation with a doctor might actually sound unnaturally stiff or overly academic.
Examples in context
- Der Arzt erklärte geduldig die Auswirkungen der Verletzung am Hodensack.The doctor patiently explained the effects of the injury to the scrotum.
- Wir waren gestern auf einer Party, und plötzlich torkelte er grinsend mit bloßem Sack durch den Raum.We were at a party yesterday, and suddenly he stumbled through the room, grinning with his exposed scrotum.
- Der Hodensack ist Teil der männlichen Anatomie.The scrotum is part of male anatomy.
- Er hat eine Schwellung am Hodensack.He has a swelling on his scrotum.
- Die Haut am Hodensack ist sehr dünn.The skin on the scrotum is very thin.
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are discussing a medical symptom.
- JuliaMaximilian, hast du Schmerzen am Hodensack?Maximilian, do you have pain in your scrotum?
- MaximilianJa, der Hodensack tut mir weh.Yes, my scrotum hurts.
- JuliaDu solltest das einem Arzt zeigen.You should show that to a doctor.
- MaximilianDas werde ich heute noch machen.I will do that today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scrotum” translations and entries Hodensack, Skrotum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
