01
das Herz
heart
The central organ of the circulatory system that pumps blood through the body.
example
Regelmäßiger Sport ist gut für das Herz.
Regular exercise is good for the heart.
das Herz
heart
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Special declension
'Herz' (heart) belongs to a small group of neuter nouns with a special declension. In the dative and genitive, it takes the ending '-en': 'dem Herzen' (to the heart) and 'des Herzens' (of the heart). In the nominative and accusative, it remains 'das Herz' (the heart).
EXAMPLE
Er folgte der Stimme seines Herzens.
He followed the voice of his heart.
Word family
Many words that have to do with feelings are derived from 'Herz' (heart). These include the adjective 'herzlich' (warm/friendly), the noun 'das Herzklopfen' (a pounding heart, from excitement), and the phrase 'herzlichen Glückwunsch' (heartfelt congratulations).
EXAMPLE
Sie wurde von den Gastgebern sehr herzlich empfangen.
She was welcomed very warmly by the hosts.
Heart of feelings
In its symbolic meaning, 'Herz' (heart) is often combined with adjectives that describe character. Typical expressions are 'ein großes Herz haben' (to have a big heart / be generous), 'ein kaltes Herz haben' (to have a cold heart / be unfeeling), or 'ein gebrochenes Herz haben' (to have a broken heart).
EXAMPLE
Er hat ein großes Herz für Tiere und hilft, wo er kann.
He has a big heart for animals and helps wherever he can.
The center of something
To describe the central part of something, 'Herz' (heart) is often used with the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of). For example, people speak of the 'Herzen der Stadt' (heart of the city) or the 'Herzen des Problems' (heart of the problem).
EXAMPLE
Der alte Marktplatz bildet das Herz der Stadt.
The old market square forms the heart of the city.
Sentence structure of the expression
The idiom 'sich ein Herz fassen' (to take heart) is reflexive and uses the dative. The structure is always: subject + 'fasst sich' (dative) + 'ein Herz'.
EXAMPLE
Endlich fasste sie sich ein Herz und sagte ihm ihre Meinung.
Finally, she took heart and told him her opinion.
Dative construction
In the expression 'jemandem ans Herz wachsen' (to grow dear to someone), the person who becomes fond of someone or something is in the dative. The subject of the sentence is the person or thing that one becomes fond of.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt ist mir in den letzten Jahren sehr ans Herz gewachsen.
The city has grown very dear to me over the last few years.
Sentence structure of the expression
The expression 'sich etwas zu Herzen nehmen' (to take something to heart) is reflexive with the dative. The person is the subject, and what one takes seriously is the accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Du solltest dir den Rat deiner Mutter wirklich zu Herzen nehmen.
You should really take your mother's advice to heart.
Compare with
Herz vs Seele
soul
'Herz' and 'Seele' can both talk about a person's inner life, that is, about feelings, love, and personality. 'Herz' is often used when talking about feelings, kindness, courage, or love. 'Seele' refers more to a person's whole inner being: what they feel, think, and carry deep inside. The words can be confused because both can mean more than something physical. As a simple guide: 'Herz' often sounds closer to feeling and love, while 'Seele' is closer to a person's deep inner self.
Herz
Sie hat ein gutes Herz und hilft den Nachbarn oft.
She has a good heart and often helps the neighbors.
Seele
Nach dem langen Gespräch fühlte sich seine Seele leichter.
After the long conversation, his soul felt lighter.
In real life
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