der Rücken
back
The rear part of the human or animal body between the neck and the buttocks.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe vom langen Sitzen Schmerzen im Rücken.
I have back pain from sitting for so long.
der Rücken
back
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Meanings
der Rücken
back / spine
The back side of an object, for example a chair, book, or cupboard.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Rücken des Buches steht der Titel in goldenen Buchstaben.
The title is written in gold letters on the spine of the book.
jemandem in den Rücken fallen
to stab someone in the back
To betray or abandon someone even though that person trusted you.
EXAMPLE
Ich dachte, er wäre mein Freund, aber bei der Abstimmung ist er mir in den Rücken gefallen.
I thought he was my friend, but during the vote he stabbed me in the back.
den Rücken frei haben
to have one's back free
To be free of other worries or obligations so that one can concentrate on a specific task.
EXAMPLE
Seit die Kinder in der Kita sind, habe ich endlich den Rücken frei, um mein Buch zu schreiben.
Since the children have been in daycare, I finally have my back free to write my book.
der Rücken
support / backing
In a figurative sense, support or backing.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem Rücken seiner Familie konnte er das Risiko eingehen und seine eigene Firma gründen.
With the backing of his family, he was able to take the risk and start his own company.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Rücken' (back) is the basis for many other words that have to do with 'hinten' (behind/back) or 'zurück' (back), for example 'zurück' (back), 'Rückseite' (back side), 'Rucksack' (backpack), or 'Rückgrat' (backbone).
EXAMPLE
Für die Wanderung packe ich meinen Rucksack.
I'm packing my backpack for the hike.
Typical collocations
In connection with the body part, fixed phrases like 'Schmerzen im Rücken haben' (to have back pain), 'auf dem Rücken liegen' (to lie on one's back), or colloquially 'Rücken haben' (to have back pain) are very common.
EXAMPLE
Ich schlafe am liebsten auf dem Rücken.
I prefer to sleep on my back.
Fixed expression (betrayal)
The idiom 'jemandem in den Rücken fallen' means to betray someone. The person who is betrayed is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mir versprochen zu helfen, aber dann ist er mir in den Rücken gefallen.
He promised to help me, but then he stabbed me in the back.
Fixed expression (freedom)
The idiom 'den Rücken frei haben' means that you can focus on something without worries or distractions. You have the support you need.
EXAMPLE
Dank der Hilfe meiner Eltern habe ich den Rücken frei, um mich auf mein Studium zu konzentrieren.
Thanks to my parents' help, I have my back free to focus on my studies.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'Rücken' (back) stands for support. A common phrase is 'jemandem den Rücken stärken' (to strengthen someone's back), which means to support someone morally.
EXAMPLE
In der schwierigen Situation hat mir meine Familie immer den Rücken gestärkt.
In the difficult situation, my family always had my back.
Compare with
Rücken vs Unterstützung
support
Unterstützung directly means help and can stand on its own for practical, moral, or idealistic help. Rücken can also mean backing, but only in figurative, fixed, or clearly metaphorical expressions. Use Unterstützung for general help and Rücken for figurative backing.
Rücken
Bei dem schwierigen Projekt wusste er seine Kolleginnen im Rücken.
During the difficult project, he knew his colleagues had his back.
Unterstützung
Dank der Unterstützung seiner Kolleginnen konnte er das Projekt rechtzeitig beenden.
Thanks to the support of his colleagues, he was able to finish the project on time.
In real life
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