Magen
/ˈmaːɡən/
The German word for stomach is Magen.
Magen refers specifically to the stomach as an internal organ. If you are talking about the general area of the belly or abdomen, the word Bauch is the most common and general term used in German.
Meaning: belly (noun)
Which one should you use?
Magen is used when discussing the organ itself, whereas Bauch refers to the general area of the belly or abdomen.
How does it change in a sentence?
Magen is a masculine noun. In the singular genitive case, it takes the ending -s, becoming des Magens.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmaːɡən/
Did you know?
- While 'Bauch' is used for the physical area of the belly, the term 'Bauchgefühl' is used to mean 'gut feeling' or intuition.
- A 'stomach flu' is commonly called Magen-Darm-Grippe, which literally translates to 'stomach-intestine-flu' to be more anatomically precise than the English term.
- Having 'a strong stomach' in German, or einen starken Magen haben, can describe someone who is physically resilient to food or emotionally brave enough to face unpleasant truths.
Examples in context
- Mir knurrt der Magen.My stomach is rumbling.This sentence shows how to describe a rumbling stomach using Magen.Tatoeba #657413 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #28163 by zvzuibqx
- Mir knurrte der Magen.My stomach growled.This sentence shows the past tense usage of the word Magen.Tatoeba #7330772 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7126204 by CM
- Sie starb an Magenkrebs.She died of stomach cancer.This sentence demonstrates the use of Magen in a medical context.Tatoeba #567401 by jakov, translation #312520 by jakov
- Ich habe Bauchschmerzen.I have stomachache.
- Mein Bauch ist leer.My stomach is empty.
- Mein Magen knurrt vor Hunger.My stomach is growling with hunger.
- Ich habe eine volle Wampe.I have a full belly.
- Meine Wampe tut weh vor Lachen.My belly hurts from laughing.
- Ich vertraue meinem Bauchgefühl.I trust my gut feeling.
- sich den Bauch vollschlagenTo stuff yourself
- jemandem flattern die Schmetterlinge im BauchTo have butterflies in one's stomach
- 96 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are discussing why Julian cannot eat more dinner.
- JulianIch kann nicht mehr, mein Magen ist voll.I can't eat any more, my stomach is full.
- HannahAber du hast doch kaum etwas gegessen.But you have hardly eaten anything.
- JulianMein Magen fühlt sich heute einfach sehr voll an.My stomach just feels very full today.
- HannahDann ruh dich ein bisschen aus, Julian.Then rest for a little while, Julian.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Magen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
