der Bauch
Meaning and Usage
"Der Bauch" in German translates to "the stomach" or "the belly" in English. It refers to the front part of the body below the chest, where food is digested. It is also used figuratively to refer to a person's abdomen or belly.
Linguistic Analysis
The word "Bauch" is a masculine noun. It does not have any prefix or suffix. Its etymology dates back to Middle High German and Old High German "buoh," which is related to the Old Saxon "buok" and Old English "bōc," all meaning "belly."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "Bauch" and its English counterpart "belly" share common Indo-European roots, which makes them linguistically related.
Cultural Context
In German culture, "der Bauch" is often associated with fullness and satisfaction, as in the saying "satt und zufrieden den vollen Bauch streichend," which means "rubbing the full belly, feeling content and satisfied."
Example Sentences
- Mein Bauch tut weh. (My stomach hurts.)
- Sie hat ein Baby im Bauch. (She has a baby in her belly.)
Memory Tips
To remember "der Bauch," think of it as "the pouch" in your body where food goes for digestion.
Additional Vocabulary
- die Magenschmerzen (stomachache)
- der Bauchnabel (belly button)
- der Unterleib (lower abdomen)
Gender and Plural
- Gender: masculine
- Plural: die Bäuche
Conjugation
N/A (not a verb)