der Arm
arm
The part of the human body that extends from the shoulder to the hand.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir beim Sport den rechten Arm gebrochen.
I broke my right arm while playing sports.
der Arm
arm
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Meanings
der Arm
arm
A part of an object that resembles an arm in shape or function, e.g. on an armchair, a crane, or a river.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Sessel hat sehr bequeme Arme zum Ablegen der Ellbogen.
The old armchair has very comfortable arms for resting your elbows.
jemanden auf den Arm nehmen
to pull someone's leg
To make fun of someone by telling them something untrue; to tease or fool someone.
EXAMPLE
Glaub ihm nicht alles, er nimmt dich nur auf den Arm.
Don't believe everything he says; he's just pulling your leg.
jemandem unter die Arme greifen
to lend a hand
To help or support someone, often financially or with a difficult task.
EXAMPLE
Als ich arbeitslos war, haben mir meine Eltern finanziell unter die Arme gegriffen.
When I was unemployed, my parents lent me a financial hand.
der Arm
arm / branch
A branch or division of a larger organization.
EXAMPLE
Die Stiftung ist der wohltätige Arm des Unternehmens.
The foundation is the charitable arm of the company.
Usage tips
Adjective vs. noun
Do not confuse the noun 'der Arm' (arm, body part) with the adjective 'arm' (poor, having little money). You can recognize the noun by the article and the capitalization.
EXAMPLE
Der arme Junge hat sich den Arm verletzt.
The poor boy injured his arm.
Fixed expression: teasing
The idiom 'jemanden auf den Arm nehmen' (to pull someone's leg) means to make fun of someone or tease them. The person being teased is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Glaub ihm nicht, er nimmt dich nur auf den Arm.
Don't believe him; he's just pulling your leg.
Fixed expression: helping
The idiom 'jemandem unter die Arme greifen' (to lend someone a hand) means to support someone, often financially or with a difficult task. The person being helped is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Als sie krank war, hat ihre Nachbarin ihr oft unter die Arme gegriffen.
When she was sick, her neighbor often lent her a hand.
Literal and figurative
The context shows whether 'Arm' (arm) is meant literally or figuratively. In connection with the body, it is literal (m01). As part of an object (e.g. 'Sesselarm' (arm of an armchair), 'Flussarm' (branch of a river)) or an organization, the meaning is metaphorical (m02, m05).
EXAMPLE
Der Kran hat einen langen Arm.
The crane has a long arm.
Typical collocations
As a body part, 'Arm' (arm) is often used with verbs such as 'heben' (to raise), 'ausstrecken' (to stretch out), or 'verschränken' (to fold/cross). The expression 'jemanden in den Arm nehmen' means 'to hug someone.'
EXAMPLE
Zum Abschied nahm er seine Mutter fest in den Arm.
He gave his mother a tight hug when saying goodbye.
Compare with
Arm vs Abteilung
department
Der Arm and die Abteilung can both refer to an organizational part of a larger institution. Abteilung is the neutral, concrete term for a clearly defined division, while Arm emphasizes a branch or affiliated side of the organization. Abteilung is usually suitable for internal divisions; Arm can also be used for organizational branches.
Arm
Der soziale Arm der Organisation betreut Familien in der Stadt.
The organization’s social arm supports families in the city.
Abteilung
Die Abteilung für soziale Arbeit betreut Familien in der Stadt.
The social work department supports families in the city.
In real life
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