backrest / armrest
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backrest
The part of a chair, sofa, or bench that serves to support the back.
Die Lehne dieses Bürostuhls ist ergonomisch geformt und stützt den Lendenbereich.
The backrest of this office chair is ergonomically shaped and supports the lumbar region.
armrest
The part of an armchair or sofa on which you can rest your arms.
Der Sessel hat breite Lehnen aus Holz, auf denen man bequem ein Buch ablegen kann.
The armchair has wide wooden armrests on which you can comfortably set down a book.
The noun 'die Lehne' (backrest/armrest) is closely related to the verb 'sich lehnen' (to lean). A Lehne is therefore the part of a piece of furniture that you lean on or against.
Lehn dich doch zurück, die Lehne ist sehr bequem.
Lean back, the backrest is very comfortable.
The word 'Lehne' (backrest/armrest) by itself can mean either the backrest or the armrest. To avoid misunderstandings, the more precise words 'Rückenlehne' (backrest) or 'Armlehne' (armrest) are often used in everyday language.
Die Lehne dieses Stuhls ist mir etwas zu niedrig.
The backrest of this chair is a little too low for me.
When describing the action, you use the reflexive verb 'sich lehnen' (to lean) together with a preposition such as 'an' or 'gegen' (on/against), followed by the accusative.
Er lehnte seinen Kopf müde gegen die Lehne des Sessels.
He tiredly leaned his head against the backrest of the armchair.
When 'Lehne' (backrest) refers to the backrest, typical verbs are 'verstellen' (to adjust), 'zurückklappen' (to fold back/recline), or 'sich zurücklehnen' (to lean back). They describe adjusting the sitting position.
Bei diesem Autositz kann man die Lehne elektrisch verstellen.
In this car seat, you can adjust the backrest electrically.
back
For a chair, Rücken can refer less technically to the back section or its outer side. Lehne, on the other hand, is the part you lean against and that supports your back. Lehne is the more precise term for this function.
Die Lehne des alten Stuhls stützt meinen Rücken kaum noch.
The backrest of the old chair hardly supports my back anymore.
Der Rücken des alten Stuhls ist mit rotem Stoff bezogen.
The back of the old chair is upholstered in red fabric.
