01
die Leber
liver
A large, important organ in the abdomen of humans and vertebrates that is responsible for metabolism and detoxifying the body.
example
Alkohol kann die Leber schädigen.
Alcohol can damage the liver.
die Leber
liver
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'Leber' (liver) is often used with certain verbs and nouns. Common combinations are 'die Leberwerte überprüfen' (to check liver values), 'eine Fettleber haben' (to have a fatty liver), or 'eine Lebertransplantation benötigen' (to need a liver transplant).
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat meine Leberwerte kontrolliert.
The doctor checked my liver values.
Context clue: food
You can tell from the context whether 'Leber' (liver) is meant as food. Verbs like 'essen' (to eat), 'braten' (to fry), 'kochen' (to cook), or 'bestellen' (to order), as well as mention of it on a menu, clearly point to this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Als Hauptgericht bestelle ich heute Leber mit Kartoffelpüree.
For my main course today, I'm ordering liver with mashed potatoes.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'frei von der Leber weg' (frankly, openly) functions as an adverbial expression that describes how someone speaks. It often appears with verbs like 'sagen' (to say), 'sprechen' (to speak), or 'antworten' (to answer).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ihm frei von der Leber weg ihre Meinung gesagt.
She told him her opinion frankly.
Dative construction
In the idiom 'jemandem ist eine Laus über die Leber gelaufen' (someone is in a bad mood), the person who is in a bad mood is always in the dative. The subject of the sentence is 'eine Laus' (a louse).
EXAMPLE
Frag ihn lieber später, ich glaube, ihm ist eine Laus über die Leber gelaufen.
Better ask him later; I think he's in a bad mood.
Compare with
Leber vs Niere
kidney
'die Leber' and 'die Niere' are both important organs in the body. That is why learners can easily confuse them, especially in conversations at the doctor’s office. 'die Leber' is a large organ in the abdomen and has a lot to do with metabolism and detoxification. There are normally two 'Nieren'; they filter the blood and produce urine. When the topic is blood values, alcohol, or detoxification, you often hear 'Leber'. When the topic is urine, water in the body, or blood filtration, 'Niere' is usually the right word.
Leber
Die Ärztin kontrolliert die Leber, weil Paul oft starke Bauchschmerzen hat.
The doctor is checking the liver because Paul often has severe abdominal pain.
Niere
Nach der Untersuchung sagte der Arzt, dass eine Niere entzündet ist.
After the examination, the doctor said that one kidney is inflamed.
In real life
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