biological / physical
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biological
Related by blood; biological. It is used to indicate direct biological descent, as opposed to an adoptive or step-relationship.
Er wurde von seinen Adoptiveltern aufgezogen und hat seine leiblichen Eltern nie kennengelernt.
He was raised by his adoptive parents and never met his biological parents.
physical
Concerning the body; physical, as opposed to mental or emotional. It is frequently used in the fixed expression 'das leibliche Wohl' (physical well-being), which refers to food and drink.
Auf dem Fest war für das leibliche Wohl bestens gesorgt.
At the festival, food and drink were very well taken care of.
The adjective 'leiblich' (biological/physical) is derived from the old word 'der Leib' (body). Both meanings therefore relate to the body: either biologically (descent) or physically (well-being).
Die Sorge um den eigenen Leib ist ein menschliches Grundbedürfnis.
Concern for one's own body is a basic human need.
In the meaning 'biologisch' (biological), 'leiblich' is almost always combined with family members: leibliche Eltern (biological parents), leibliche Mutter (biological mother), leiblicher Vater (biological father), or leibliche Kinder (biological children).
Sie sucht nach ihrem leiblichen Vater, den sie nie getroffen hat.
She is looking for her biological father, whom she has never met.
The word 'leiblich' (biological) is often used in a formal or official context to clearly indicate biological kinship.
Im Testament wurde nur sein leiblicher Sohn als Erbe genannt.
In the will, only his biological son was named as heir.
The meaning 'körperlich' (physical) is found almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'für das leibliche Wohl sorgen' (to provide for people's physical well-being), which means to provide good food and drink.
Die Gastgeber haben mit einem großen Buffet für das leibliche Wohl gesorgt.
The hosts provided for everyone's physical well-being with a large buffet.
physical
Körperlich and leiblich can both refer to the body as opposed to the mental or emotional side. Körperlich is the neutral, general choice. Leiblich often sounds elevated and is used especially in fixed expressions such as „das leibliche Wohl“ (physical well-being).
Das Hotel sorgt mit frischen Mahlzeiten für das leibliche Wohl der Gäste.
The hotel provides fresh meals to ensure the guests’ physical well-being.
Regelmäßige Pausen sind wichtig für das körperliche Wohlbefinden der Gäste.
Regular breaks are important for the guests’ physical well-being.
