German word

Kopf

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔpf/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhead

Example

Sie klopfte ihm auf den Kopf.

She tapped him on the head.

Illustration for Kopf (head)

More examples

Er schüttelte den Kopf.

He shook his head.

Core concept

A rounded top that houses the brain and extends metaphorically to a thinking person, a person in charge, or the top of an object.

Common phrases

  • den Kopf schütteln

    shake one's head

  • den Kopf senken

    lower one's head

  • auf dem Kopf stehen

    stand on one's head

Similar words

Gesicht: The front part of the head showing the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Haare: The fine strands growing from the surface of the head.
Gehirn: The organ inside the head that processes information and produces thought and sensation.
Stirn: The area of the face between the eyebrows and the hairline.

Definition in German

Der Teil des Körpers oben, in dem das Gehirn sitzt und von dem das Gesicht nach vorn ausgeht.

Word origin

Kopf is documented in Old High German as kopf and in Middle High German as kopf, and its earlier vessel-related sense preceded the modern bodily sense.

Usage tips

  • The phrase auf den Kopf uses the accusative after auf for motion or impact, while im Kopf uses the dative for a fixed location or thought.

Other meanings

  • mindnoun
  • leadernoun
  • topnoun

Related words

  • Kopfschmerzenheadachesnoun
  • kopflosthoughtlessadjective

Word lists with this word