body
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body
A formal and respectful expression for the dead body of a human being. Used mainly in official, medical, or legal contexts.
Der Leichnam wurde zur Obduktion in die Gerichtsmedizin gebracht.
The body was taken to forensic medicine for an autopsy.
'Leichnam' (body) is a very formal word used almost exclusively in official contexts, such as with the police, in medicine, or in the news. You would not use it in everyday conversation.
Die Polizei hat den Leichnam am Flussufer gefunden.
The police found the body on the riverbank.
The word is closely related to 'die Leiche' (corpse/the body of a dead person). However, 'Leichnam' (body) is considered the more respectful and more formal variant.
Nach der Identifizierung wurde der Leichnam zur Bestattung freigegeben.
After identification, the body was released for burial.
Common verbs used with 'Leichnam' (body) are 'bergen' (to recover), 'identifizieren' (to identify), 'obduzieren' (to perform an autopsy on), or 'überführen' (to transfer/repatriate). They describe official actions.
Die Feuerwehr konnte den Leichnam aus dem brennenden Haus bergen.
The fire department was able to recover the body from the burning house.
corpse
Leiche and Leichnam both refer to the dead body of a human being. Leichnam usually sounds more formal and respectful, while Leiche sounds more neutral or matter-of-fact. Leichnam is more appropriate in an official or particularly respectful text; in everyday language, Leiche is usually used.
Die Polizei übergab den Leichnam am nächsten Morgen der Familie.
The police handed the body over to the family the next morning.
Die Polizei fand die Leiche am nächsten Morgen im Haus.
The police found the corpse in the house the next morning.
