der Hacken
heel
The back part of the foot below the ankle; the heel.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Spaziergang tat mir der rechte Hacken weh.
After the long walk, my right heel hurt.
der Hacken
heel
das Hacken
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Meanings
jemandem auf den Hacken sein
to be on someone's heels
To follow someone very closely or keep putting them under constant pressure.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei war dem flüchtigen Täter dicht auf den Hacken.
The police were right on the heels of the fleeing perpetrator.
sich auf die Hacken machen
to get going
To set off or leave a place; this expression is colloquial.
EXAMPLE
Als es zu regnen begann, machten wir uns auf die Hacken.
When it started to rain, we got going.
auf dem Hacken kehrtmachen
to turn on one's heel
To suddenly turn around and walk or run back in the opposite direction.
EXAMPLE
Als er den unfreundlichen Verkäufer sah, machte er auf dem Hacken kehrt.
When he saw the unfriendly salesperson, he turned on his heel.
der Hacken
heel
Especially in northern Germany and colloquially: the heel of a shoe.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihren hohen Hacken kam sie auf dem Kopfsteinpflaster kaum voran.
She could barely make her way across the cobblestones in her high heels.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Hacken, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (das)
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Hackens |
The four cases (das)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Hacken | – |
| accusative | das Hacken | – |
| dative | dem Hacken | – |
| genitive | des Hackens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (das)
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Hackens |
The four cases (das)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Hacken | – |
| accusative | das Hacken | – |
| dative | dem Hacken | – |
| genitive | des Hackens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (der)
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Hacken |
| genitive | des Hackens |
The four cases (der)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Hacken | die Hacken |
| accusative | den Hacken | die Hacken |
| dative | dem Hacken | den Hacken |
| genitive | des Hackens | der Hacken |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (die)
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Hacken |
| genitive | der Hacken |
The four cases (die)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Hacken | die Hacken |
| accusative | die Hacken | die Hacken |
| dative | der Hacken | den Hacken |
| genitive | der Hacken | der Hacken |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
When shoes cause discomfort, typical phrases include „an den Hacken scheuern“ (to rub against the heels) and „Blasen an den Hacken haben“ (to have blisters on one's heels). The part of the foot is specified with „an“ and the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Seit der Wanderung habe ich Blasen an den Hacken.
I've had blisters on my heels since the hike.
Region and register
For this part of the body, „Hacken“ (heel) is used mainly in northern Germany and in colloquial speech.
EXAMPLE
Mein linker Hacken tut beim Auftreten weh.
My left heel hurts when I put weight on it.
Dative construction
In „jemandem auf den Hacken sein“ (to be on someone's heels), the person being followed or pressured is in the dative case. „Dicht“ (right) or „ständig“ (constantly) is often added; „auf den Hacken“ remains fixed.
EXAMPLE
Der nächste Läufer war mir dicht auf den Hacken.
The next runner was right on my heels.
Reflexive expression
In „sich auf die Hacken machen“ (to get going), the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject, such as „mich“ with „ich“ and „uns“ with „wir“. The part „auf die Hacken“ remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Ich mache mich jetzt auf die Hacken, damit ich den letzten Bus noch erreiche.
I'm getting going now so I can still catch the last bus.
Fixed expression
Remember the fixed expression „auf dem Hacken kehrtmachen“ (to turn on one's heel), with „auf dem“ and the singular „Hacken“. In a main clause, „kehrtmachen“ is split: the form of „machen“ comes at the front and „kehrt“ at the end.
EXAMPLE
Vor der verschlossenen Tür machte sie auf dem Hacken kehrt.
She turned on her heel in front of the locked door.
In real life
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