die Brust
chest
The upper front part of the human body between the neck and the abdomen; the rib cage.
EXAMPLE
Beim Atmen heben und senken sich Brust und Bauch.
When breathing, the chest and abdomen rise and fall.
die Brust
chest / breast
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Meanings
die Brust
breast
The female mammary gland, which is developed in women and female mammals.
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter gibt ihrem Baby die Brust.
The mother gives her baby the breast.
die Brust
breast meat
The meat from the breast area of poultry, used as food.
EXAMPLE
Ich esse am liebsten die knusprige Haut von der Gänsebrust.
My favorite part is the crispy skin from the goose breast.
sich in die Brust werfen
to puff oneself up
To adopt a posture that expresses pride, arrogance, or showing off.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem er das Tor geschossen hatte, warf er sich vor den Fans in die Brust.
After he scored the goal, he puffed himself up in front of the fans.
aus voller Brust
at the top of one's lungs
To sing or shout with a loud voice and a lot of energy.
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderer sangen aus voller Brust ihre Lieder.
The hikers sang their songs at the top of their lungs.
Usage tips
Context clues
The meaning of 'Brust' (chest / breast) becomes clear from the context. In a medical context or with 'atmen' (to breathe), it refers to the chest/rib cage. In connection with 'Baby' (baby) or 'stillen' (to breastfeed), it refers to the female breast. In recipes or cooking, it refers to poultry meat.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seit gestern Schmerzen in der linken Brust.
He has had pain in his left chest since yesterday.
Compound formation
When 'Brust' (breast) refers to food, it almost always appears in a compound word. This lets you recognize the meaning immediately. Typical examples are 'Hähnchenbrust' (chicken breast), 'Putenbrust' (turkey breast), or 'Entenbrust' (duck breast).
EXAMPLE
Im Supermarkt kaufe ich oft geräucherte Putenbrust für das Frühstück.
At the supermarket, I often buy smoked turkey breast for breakfast.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich in die Brust werfen' (to puff oneself up) is reflexive and means to present oneself proudly or arrogantly. The structure is fixed: the subject throws 'sich' (oneself; accusative) into the chest.
EXAMPLE
Nach seinem Sieg warf sich der Athlet vor dem Publikum in die Brust.
After his victory, the athlete puffed himself up in front of the audience.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'aus voller Brust' (at the top of one's lungs) is a fixed expression meaning that someone sings, laughs, or shouts very loudly and with a lot of energy. It functions like an adverb.
EXAMPLE
Die Fans im Stadion sangen aus voller Brust die Hymne ihres Vereins.
The fans in the stadium sang their club's anthem at the top of their lungs.
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'Brust' (chest) is often connected with 'Schmerzen in der Brust' (chest pain) or 'einem Druck auf der Brust' (pressure on the chest). These phrases describe typical symptoms.
EXAMPLE
Bei einem Druck auf der Brust sollten Sie einen Arzt aufsuchen.
If you feel pressure on your chest, you should see a doctor.
Compare with
Brust vs Busen
breast / bosom / gulf
Brust and Busen can refer to the female breast area. Brust is the usual, more matter-of-fact term and can also refer to a single breast; Busen usually refers to both breasts together and often sounds more euphemistic. In neutral statements, Brust is usually the better choice.
Brust
Nach der Untersuchung verspürte sie nur an der linken Brust noch leichte Schmerzen.
After the examination, she felt only mild pain in her left breast.
Busen
Das Kleid bedeckte ihren Busen vollständig.
The dress completely covered her breasts.
In real life
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