German word

Knochen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈknɔxən/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbone

Example

Der Knochen ist gebrochen.

The bone is broken.

Illustration for Knochen (bone)

More examples

Nach der Wanderung spürte ich die Kälte bis in die Knochen.

After the hike, I felt the cold to the bone.

Core concept

A rigid inner support that gives a living body shape and bears physical force.

Common phrases

  • jemandem einen Knochen zuwerfen

    throw someone a bone

  • die Kälte bis in die Knochen spüren

    feel the cold to the bone

Similar words

Knochenbruch: A break in a bone caused by force, leaving a crack or split.
Skelett: The body's framework, formed by all its bones joined together.
Wirbelsäule: A linked row of bones running from the head to the lower back.
Knochenmark: Soft tissue inside a bone that produces blood cells.

Definition in German

Hartes Gewebe im Körper von Tieren, das als innere Stütze dient, dem Körper Form und Festigkeit verleiht und oft das Skelett bildet.

Word origin

Knochen descends through Middle High German knoche from Old High German knoh, as an inherited Germanic word for bone.

Usage tips

  • Knochen is masculine, and its plural is also Knochen, so context or an article distinguishes one bone from several.

Related words

  • Knochenarbeitbackbreaking worknoun
  • Knochenbruchbone fracturenoun

Word lists with this word