die Kehle
throat
The front part of the neck, which contains the pharynx and windpipe.
EXAMPLE
Er spürte ein Kratzen in der Kehle und musste husten.
He felt a scratchiness in his throat and had to cough.
die Kehle
throat
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Meanings
die Kehle
throat
Used in figurative expressions to describe strong emotions such as fear or the feeling of choking.
EXAMPLE
Vor lauter Aufregung war ihre Kehle wie zugeschnürt.
Because she was so nervous, her throat felt tight.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In the literal sense, 'Kehle' (throat) is often connected with physical sensations. Typical phrases are 'eine trockene Kehle haben' (to have a dry throat / be thirsty) or 'ein Kratzen in der Kehle haben' (to have a scratchy throat, as with a cold).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Lauf hatte ich eine total trockene Kehle.
After the long run, my throat was completely dry.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem schnürt es die Kehle zu' describes a feeling of intense fear, nervousness, or sadness in which one can hardly breathe or speak.
EXAMPLE
Als er die schlechte Nachricht hörte, schnürte es ihm die Kehle zu.
When he heard the bad news, his throat tightened.
Adverbial phrase
The phrase 'aus voller Kehle' functions like an adverb and means 'very loudly' or 'at the top of one's lungs.' It can be combined with verbs like 'singen' (to sing), 'lachen' (to laugh), or 'schreien' (to scream).
EXAMPLE
Die Fans sangen aus voller Kehle die Hymne ihres Vereins.
The fans sang their club's anthem at the top of their lungs.
Compare with
Kehle vs Hals
neck / throat
Both words can refer to the front part of the neck when swallowing or breathing. Hals is the general, everyday term, while Kehle places more emphasis on the inner front area containing the throat and windpipe and often sounds more vivid. Hals is usually suitable for general complaints; Kehle fits this narrower area.
Kehle
Nach dem Konzert tat mir die Kehle beim Schlucken weh.
After the concert, my throat hurt when I swallowed.
Hals
Nach dem Konzert tat mir der Hals beim Schlucken weh.
After the concert, my throat hurt when I swallowed.
In real life
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