der Beinbruch
leg fracture
A medical injury in which a bone in the leg is broken.
EXAMPLE
Beim Skifahren hat er sich einen komplizierten Beinbruch zugezogen.
He suffered a complicated leg fracture while skiing.
der Beinbruch
leg fracture
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Meanings
Hals- und Beinbruch
break a leg
A fixed expression used to wish someone luck, especially before an exam, a performance, or a difficult task.
EXAMPLE
Vor deiner Fahrprüfung wünsche ich dir Hals- und Beinbruch!
Before your driving test, I wish you good luck—break a leg!
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a simple compound made up of 'das Bein' (leg) and 'der Bruch' (break/fracture). So it literally describes a fracture in the leg.
EXAMPLE
Ein Beinbruch braucht viele Wochen, um zu heilen.
A leg fracture takes many weeks to heal.
Typical verbs
You don't simply 'get' or 'have' a 'Beinbruch' (leg fracture). The typical and idiomatic phrasing is 'sich einen Beinbruch zuziehen' (to suffer/sustain a leg fracture) or 'einen Beinbruch erleiden' (to suffer a leg fracture).
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder hat sich beim Fußballspielen einen Beinbruch zugezogen.
My brother suffered a leg fracture while playing soccer.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Hals- und Beinbruch' (break a leg) is a fixed idiom that must not be taken literally. It is used exclusively to wish someone luck.
EXAMPLE
Viel Erfolg bei deinem Auftritt heute Abend – Hals- und Beinbruch!
Good luck with your performance tonight—break a leg!
Cultural context
This good-luck wish is often used out of superstition. The idea is that wishing something negative will bring about the opposite, namely good luck. It is often said before exams, performances, or trips.
EXAMPLE
Morgen ist deine große Präsentation. Ich wünsche dir Hals- und Beinbruch!
Tomorrow is your big presentation. I wish you good luck—break a leg!
In real life
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