der Busen
breast
The female breast or a woman's breasts.
EXAMPLE
Das Kleid hatte einen tiefen Ausschnitt, der ihren Busen betonte.
The dress had a low neckline that emphasized her breasts.
der Busen
breast / bosom / gulf
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Busen
bosom
In elevated or poetic language, a person's chest, male or female, as the symbolic seat of emotions.
EXAMPLE
Er spürte eine große Erleichterung in seinem Busen.
He felt great relief in his bosom.
am Busen der Natur
in nature's bosom
An idiom meaning that one is in the midst of untouched nature, far from civilization.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub entspannten sie eine Woche lang am Busen der Natur.
On vacation, they relaxed for a week in nature's bosom.
der Busen
gulf / bay
An outdated or geographical term for a bay or gulf in the sea. Today it is mostly used as part of compounds such as 'Meerbusen' (gulf).
EXAMPLE
Die Schiffe suchten im weiten Busen des Meeres Schutz vor dem Sturm.
The ships sought shelter from the storm in the wide gulf of the sea.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The expression 'am Busen der Natur' (in nature's bosom) is a fixed idiom. It is always used in this form and describes being in a quiet place in nature.
EXAMPLE
Wir verbrachten das Wochenende am Busen der Natur, weit weg von der Stadt.
We spent the weekend in nature's bosom, far away from the city.
Word structure
The old geographical meaning 'Bucht' (bay) is now found almost only in compound words such as 'Meerbusen' (gulf). A 'Meerbusen' is a large bay or gulf.
EXAMPLE
Der Persische Golf ist ein bekannter Meerbusen.
The Persian Gulf is a well-known gulf.
Register and style
'Busen' (breast) as a term for the female breast is often felt to be somewhat more formal, polite, or even medical than other colloquial words.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Untersuchung tastete die Ärztin den Busen ab.
During the examination, the doctor palpated the breast.
Poetic language
The use of 'Busen' (bosom) as the seat of emotions is typical of elevated, poetic language. In this case, the word can refer to both men and women.
EXAMPLE
Ein Gefühl der Freude erfüllte seinen Busen.
A feeling of joy filled his bosom.
Compare with
Busen vs Brust
chest / breast
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.
Busen
Das Kleid bedeckte ihren Busen vollständig.
The dress completely covered her breasts.
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.
In real life
Loading video examples...