01
der Oberarm
upper arm
The part of the human arm located between the shoulder and the elbow.
example
Beim Sport hat er sich einen Muskel im rechten Oberarm gezerrt.
He strained a muscle in his right upper arm while playing sports.
der Oberarm
upper arm
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is structured very logically. It consists of 'ober-' (upper), meaning 'upper part,' and 'Arm' (arm). So an 'Oberarm' (upper arm) is literally the upper part of the arm.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt untersuchte den geschwollenen Oberarm des Patienten.
The doctor examined the patient's swollen upper arm.
Correct preposition
Pay attention to the prepositions. You use 'am Oberarm' (on the upper arm) for the surface and 'im Oberarm' (in the upper arm) for something located inside, such as muscles or pain.
EXAMPLE
Sie trägt eine Binde am linken Oberarm.
She is wearing a bandage on her left upper arm.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used with 'Oberarm' (upper arm) are 'jemanden am Oberarm packen' (to grab someone by the upper arm) or 'jemanden am Oberarm festhalten' (to hold someone by the upper arm). This often describes a gesture used to get someone's attention or guide someone.
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter packte ihr Kind sanft am Oberarm, um es vor dem Auto zu warnen.
The mother gently grabbed her child by the upper arm to warn him about the car.
Compare with
Oberarm vs Arm
arm
'der Arm' and 'der Oberarm' both belong to the body. 'der Arm' means the whole body part from the shoulder to the hand. 'der Oberarm' is only one part of it, namely the area between the shoulder and the elbow. You can confuse the words because the upper arm is part of the arm. If the exact place is important, for example with pain or in sports, 'Oberarm' is more precise. If you are talking generally about the whole body part, 'Arm' fits better.
Oberarm
Die Ärztin gibt ihm die Spritze in den Oberarm.
The doctor gives him the injection in his upper arm.
Arm
Nach dem Training tut mir der ganze Arm weh.
After training, my whole arm hurts.
In real life
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