navel
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navel
The small, scar-like depression in the middle of the abdomen that forms after birth when the umbilical cord is cut.
Bei Neugeborenen muss der Nabel besonders sorgfältig gepflegt werden.
In newborns, the navel must be cared for especially carefully.
The word 'Nabel' (navel) is the source of 'Nabelschnur' (umbilical cord). The umbilical cord connects the baby in the mother's womb with the placenta, and the navel is the scar that remains after separation.
Die Hebamme erklärte, wie man die Nabelschnur nach der Geburt pflegt.
The midwife explained how to care for the umbilical cord after birth.
The expression 'der Nabel der Welt' (the center of the world) is often used with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'sich halten für' (to consider oneself). It describes a person who believes they are the most important person of all.
Manche Leute halten sich für den Nabel der Welt.
Some people consider themselves the center of the world.
When 'Nabel der Welt' (center of the world) refers to a person, the statement almost always has an ironic or critical meaning. It expresses that the person is egocentric.
Hör auf, dich so aufzuführen! Du bist nicht der Nabel der Welt.
Stop acting like that! You are not the center of the world.
center
'das Zentrum' and 'der Nabel' are similar only in one specific expression. 'Zentrum' is the normal word for a center or for something important. 'der Nabel der Welt' (the center of the world) is a fixed expression and means a particularly important center, but often in an ironic way. You use it, for example, when someone or some place takes itself far too seriously. For neutral descriptions, 'Zentrum' is appropriate; 'Nabel der Welt' sounds figurative and often a little critical.
Mein Bruder tut manchmal so, als wäre er der Nabel der Welt.
My brother sometimes acts as if he were the center of the world.
Das alte Rathaus liegt genau im Zentrum des Ortes.
The old town hall is right in the center of the town.