01
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
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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!
Compare with
Beinbruch vs Bruch
break / fracture / fraction
'der Bruch' and 'der Beinbruch' can both refer to an injury in which a bone is broken. 'Bruch' is more general: it can refer to any bone in the body, for example an arm, finger, or leg. 'Beinbruch' is more specific and means only a broken bone in the leg. Learners can confuse the words because 'Bruch' in the medical sense already means a bone injury. If the body part is important, you say the more precise 'Beinbruch'. If the body part is clear or remains general, 'Bruch' is often enough.
Beinbruch
Nach dem Skiunfall musste Paul wegen eines Beinbruchs ins Krankenhaus.
After the skiing accident, Paul had to go to the hospital because of a leg fracture.
Bruch
Die Ärztin sah auf dem Röntgenbild einen Bruch im Handgelenk.
The doctor saw a fracture in the wrist on the X-ray.
In real life
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