01
körperlich
physical
Relates to the human or animal body, as opposed to the mind or soul.
example
Nach der Wanderung spürte er eine angenehme körperliche Erschöpfung.
After the hike, he felt a pleasant physical exhaustion.
körperlich
physical
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the noun 'der Körper' (the body). The ending '-lich' turns the noun into an adjective and means 'relating to the body' or 'like a body'.
EXAMPLE
Er achtet sehr auf seine körperliche Gesundheit.
He pays close attention to his physical health.
Typical collocations
Common combinations with 'körperlich' (physical) are 'körperliche Arbeit' (physical work), 'körperliche Anstrengung' (physical exertion), 'körperliche Fitness' (physical fitness), or 'körperliche Beschwerden' (physical complaints).
EXAMPLE
Gartenarbeit ist eine schwere körperliche Arbeit.
Gardening is hard physical work.
Typical opposite
'Körperlich' (physical) is very often used as the opposite of 'geistig' (mental) or 'seelisch' (emotional/spiritual) to emphasize the difference between body and mind.
EXAMPLE
Sport ist ein guter Ausgleich für geistige und körperliche Anspannung.
Sports are a good balance for mental and physical tension.
Compare with
körperlich vs menschlich
human
'menschlich' and 'körperlich' can both relate to people, but they do not mean the same thing. 'körperlich' describes the body and is often contrasted with mental or emotional. 'menschlich' is broader: it can mean in general that something belongs to humans, or that someone is understanding and compassionate. In topics like health, pain, or work, 'körperlich' is more precise when the body is meant. 'menschlich' fits better when talking about people in general or about kind behavior.
körperlich
Nach dem Umzug war er körperlich sehr müde.
After the move, he was physically very tired.
menschlich
Die Chefin reagierte menschlich und gab ihm nach dem Fehler eine zweite Chance.
The boss reacted humanely and gave him a second chance after the mistake.
In real life
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