der Bauch
belly
The front part of the human or animal body between the chest and the pelvis, which contains the digestive organs.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem großen Essen hatte ich Bauchschmerzen.
After the big meal, I had a stomachache.
der Bauch
belly / stomach
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Meanings
aus dem Bauch heraus
from the gut
A decision or action that is based on intuition or a feeling, not on rational thinking.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe keine logische Erklärung, ich habe einfach aus dem Bauch heraus entschieden.
I don't have a logical explanation; I simply decided from the gut.
der Bauch
belly
The rounded, middle or lower part of an object.
EXAMPLE
Der Bauch der alten Vase war kunstvoll bemalt.
The belly of the old vase was artfully painted.
Usage tips
Movement vs. position
Pay attention to the case with prepositions. Movement is expressed with the accusative, while a position or state requires the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Boxer schlägt seinem Gegner in den Bauch.
The boxer hits his opponent in the belly.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'aus dem Bauch heraus' (from the gut) is very common and means that you make a decision intuitively. The expression functions in the sentence like an adverbial phrase.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann es nicht erklären, ich habe einfach aus dem Bauch heraus gehandelt.
I can't explain it; I simply acted from the gut.
Typical collocations
In connection with the body part, 'Bauch' (belly/stomach) is often associated with pain or feelings. Typical phrases are 'Bauchschmerzen haben' (to have a stomachache), 'Schmetterlinge im Bauch haben' (to have butterflies in one's stomach), or 'sich den Bauch vollschlagen' (to stuff oneself).
EXAMPLE
Vor der Prüfung hatte ich immer ein flaues Gefühl im Bauch.
Before the exam, I always had a queasy feeling in my stomach.
Context clue
When 'Bauch' (belly) is used in connection with objects such as bottles, vases, or ships, it refers to the rounded, bulging shape of the object. This is a figurative transfer.
EXAMPLE
Der Wein lagerte im Bauch des alten Holzfasses.
The wine was stored in the belly of the old wooden barrel.
Compare with
Bauch vs Magen
stomach
Bauch refers to the entire front part of the body between the chest and the pelvis. Magen is a specific digestive organ in the upper abdomen. Bauch fits general or imprecisely located discomfort; when the organ or its digestive function is meant, Magen is the right word.
Bauch
Nach dem Sturz tut mir der ganze Bauch weh.
After the fall, my entire abdomen hurts.
Magen
Nach dem schweren Essen tut mir der Magen weh.
My stomach hurts after the heavy meal.
In real life
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