German word

leiblich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈlaɪ̯plɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivebiological

Example

Sie ist meine leibliche Mutter.

She is my biological mother.

Illustration for leiblich (biological)

More examples

Er konnte sein Erbe nur als leiblicher Sohn geltend machen.

He could claim his inheritance only as a biological son.

Core concept

A family connection grounded in actual bodily kinship rather than adoption or marriage.

Common phrases

  • leibliche Mutter

    biological mother

  • leiblicher Sohn

    biological son

  • leiblicher Vater

    biological father

Similar words

biologisch: Describes a relationship based on biological descent or inherited traits.
genetisch: Describes traits passed down through genes from one generation to another.
blutsverwandt: Describes relatives who share a common bloodline.
adoptiv: Describes a legal family relationship without a biological connection.

Definition in German

Biologisch blutsverwandt; bezeichnet die reale, körperliche Verwandtschaft zu einer Person.

Word origin

'Leiblich' is formed from German 'Leib' ('body') with the adjective suffix '-lich', so it refers to bodily or biological connection.

Usage tips

  • In 'leibliche Mutter', 'leiblich' means biological, not merely physical, and distinguishes the mother by birth from an adoptive or stepmother.

Other meanings

  • physicaladjective

Opposites

  • stiefstep-adjective

Related words

  • Leiblichkeitcorporealitynoun
  • leibhaftigflesh-and-bloodadjective

Word lists with this word