01
der Fuß
foot
The lowest part of the leg in humans and animals, which one stands and walks on.
example
Nach der langen Wanderung taten mir die Füße weh.
After the long hike, my feet hurt.
der Fuß
foot
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Productive basic word
The word 'Fuß' (foot) is the basis for many useful compound nouns. If you recognize 'Fuß', you can often understand the meaning of words like 'Fußball' (football/soccer), 'Fußgänger' (pedestrian), or 'Fußboden' (floor) more easily.
EXAMPLE
In der Fußgängerzone dürfen keine Autos fahren.
No cars are allowed to drive in the pedestrian zone.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'zu Fuß' (on foot) is a fixed expression and means 'walking'. It is always formed with the preposition 'zu' and the singular 'Fuß', even though you walk with two feet.
EXAMPLE
Die Schule ist nicht weit, ich gehe jeden Tag zu Fuß.
The school isn't far; I go on foot every day.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether 'Fuß' (foot/base) describes the base of something. In this meaning, the word is often connected with geographical objects, furniture, or objects.
EXAMPLE
Am Fuß des Leuchtturms gibt es ein kleines Café.
At the foot of the lighthouse, there is a small café.
Idiomatic expression
The idiom 'kalte Füße bekommen' (to get cold feet) has nothing to do with temperature. It means that someone becomes afraid at the last moment and abandons a plan.
EXAMPLE
Er wollte ein Auslandssemester machen, hat aber kurz vorher kalte Füße bekommen.
He wanted to do a semester abroad, but he got cold feet shortly beforehand.
Context clue: unit of measurement
When 'Fuß' (foot) is used as a unit of measurement, it almost always appears together with a number. This use is especially common in aviation and shipping.
EXAMPLE
Das Segelboot ist 40 Fuß lang.
The sailboat is 40 feet long.
Compare with
Fuß vs gehen
to go
'gehen' and 'zu Fuß' both belong to moving around without a vehicle. 'gehen' is the verb and describes the movement itself. 'zu Fuß' is not a verb, but says how you get somewhere: not by car, bus, or bicycle, but by walking. That is why people often say 'zu Fuß gehen' (to go on foot / to walk). Learners may confuse the words because 'Fuß' is physically connected with walking. The important point is: 'gehen' is the action, while 'zu Fuß' describes the mode of transportation.
Fuß
Zur Schule komme ich meistens zu Fuß.
I usually get to school on foot.
gehen
Heute gehe ich langsam zum Bahnhof, weil ich genug Zeit habe.
Today I am walking slowly to the train station because I have enough time.
In real life
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