das Genick
nape / neck
The back part of the neck; the nape.
EXAMPLE
Durch die kalte Zugluft ist mein Genick ganz steif geworden.
The cold draft made my neck go completely stiff.
das Genick
nape / neck
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Meanings
jemandem das Genick brechen
to break someone’s neck
To be the reason for the failure, ruin, or downfall of a person or thing.
EXAMPLE
Die riskante Investition hat dem Unternehmen letztendlich das Genick gebrochen.
The risky investment ultimately broke the company’s neck.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended. If people are talking about the body, pain, or physical actions, it means the neck. If it is about failure, finances, a career, or projects, the figurative meaning of “ruin” is intended.
EXAMPLE
Er massierte sich das Genick, weil er den ganzen Tag am Computer saß.
He massaged the back of his neck because he had been sitting at the computer all day.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, “Genick” (nape/neck) is often connected with physical actions or conditions. Typical expressions are “ein steifes Genick haben” (to have a stiff neck), “sich das Genick verrenken” (to strain/twist one’s neck), or “jemanden am Genick packen” (to grab someone by the scruff of the neck).
EXAMPLE
Vom Schlafen im Sessel hatte er ein ganz steifes Genick.
From sleeping in the armchair, he had a completely stiff neck.
Sentence structure of the expression
The idiom “jemandem das Genick brechen” (to break someone’s neck) has a fixed structure. The cause of the failure is the subject of the sentence, while the person or thing that fails is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die hohen Kosten für das Projekt haben der Firma das Genick gebrochen.
The high costs of the project broke the company’s neck.
Compare with
Genick vs Nacken
neck / nape
Both der Nacken and das Genick refer to the back of the neck. Nacken is the neutral term for the outer, often muscular area; Genick sounds more anatomical and is especially common in fixed expressions. Nacken is usually the better choice for a factual description, while Genick can be used when a stronger, more physical nuance is intended.
Genick
Nach dem Sturz hatte er starke Schmerzen im Genick.
After the fall, he had severe pain in the back of his neck.
Nacken
Nach dem langen Sitzen massiert sich Lara den verspannten Nacken.
After sitting for a long time, Lara massages her tense neck.
In real life
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