01
der Ellenbogen
elbow
The joint in the middle of the arm that connects the upper arm with the forearm.
example
Ich habe mir beim Sport den Ellenbogen gestoßen.
I bumped my elbow while doing sports.
der Ellenbogen
elbow
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Elle', an old unit of length and also the name of a forearm bone, and 'Bogen' (arc/bend). So it describes the 'Bogen' (bend) of the arm.
EXAMPLE
Das Gelenk am Arm nennt man Ellenbogen.
The joint on the arm is called an elbow.
Fixed expression
The expression 'die Ellenbogen einsetzen' (to use one's elbows) or 'die Ellenbogen gebrauchen' (to use one's elbows) is a fixed idiom. It means that someone pursues their goals ruthlessly and selfishly.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seine Ellenbogen eingesetzt, um die Beförderung zu bekommen.
He used his elbows to get the promotion.
Typical verbs
In the literal sense, 'Ellenbogen' (elbow) is often used with verbs that describe an action or injury, such as 'sich den Ellenbogen stoßen' (to bump one's elbow) or 'sich auf die Ellenbogen stützen' (to lean on one's elbows).
EXAMPLE
Aua, ich habe mir gerade den Ellenbogen am Tisch gestoßen!
Ouch, I just bumped my elbow on the table!
Context clue
You can always recognize the figurative meaning from the fixed expression 'die Ellenbogen einsetzen/gebrauchen' (to use one's elbows). In all other cases, when it is about the body, the literal meaning is meant.
EXAMPLE
Sein linker Ellenbogen schmerzt seit dem Training.
His left elbow has hurt since training.
Compare with
Ellenbogen vs Elle
ulna / ell
'die Elle' and 'der Ellenbogen' are both related to the arm, but they do not mean the same thing. The 'Elle' is the ulna, a bone in the forearm on the little-finger side. The 'Ellenbogen' is the elbow, the joint between the upper arm and the forearm—that is, the place where you bend your arm. The words can be confused because they sound similar and both have to do with the arm. In everyday language, people talk about the 'Ellenbogen' much more often. 'Elle' is more likely to be heard in medical or factual contexts.
Ellenbogen
Wegen des Sturzes hatte Frau Müller Schmerzen im Ellenbogen.
Because of the fall, Mrs. Müller had pain in her elbow.
Elle
Beim Röntgen sah die Ärztin, dass die Elle nicht gebrochen war.
In the X-ray, the doctor saw that the ulna was not broken.
In real life
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