01
die Schulter
shoulder
The part of the body of a human or animal that connects the arm or front leg with the torso.
example
Er legte mir tröstend eine Hand auf die Schulter.
He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
die Schulter
shoulder
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound words
The word 'Schulter' (shoulder) is a common component of compound nouns. The first part often describes what the shoulder is used for or where something is located in relation to the shoulder.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meine Tasche nicht in der Hand, es ist eine Schultertasche.
I don't have my bag in my hand; it's a shoulder bag.
Typical verbs
In connection with the body part 'Schulter' (shoulder), there are typical verbs. 'Mit den Schultern zucken' (to shrug one's shoulders) means that you don't know the answer. 'Jemandem auf die Schulter klopfen' (to pat someone on the shoulder) can express praise or comfort.
EXAMPLE
Auf meine Frage, wann er fertig ist, hat er nur mit den Schultern gezuckt.
When I asked when he would be finished, he only shrugged his shoulders.
Dative construction
In the idiom 'jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigen' (to give someone the cold shoulder), the person being ignored is always in the dative. So the structure is: subject + zeigt + dative object + die kalte Schulter.
EXAMPLE
Seit ich ihre Einladung abgelehnt habe, zeigt sie mir die kalte Schulter.
Since I turned down her invitation, she has been giving me the cold shoulder.
Accusative construction
In the idiom 'etwas auf die leichte Schulter nehmen' (to take something lightly), the thing that is not being taken seriously is always in the accusative. The structure is: subject + nimmt + accusative object + auf die leichte Schulter.
EXAMPLE
Er neigt dazu, finanzielle Probleme auf die leichte Schulter zu nehmen.
He tends to take financial problems lightly.
Compare with
Schulter vs Nacken
neck / nape
'die Schulter' and 'der Nacken' are both on the upper body and can both hurt, especially after stress or sitting for a long time. Still, they refer to different places. The shoulder connects the arm to the body. The nape is at the back of the neck, between the head and the back. Learners often confuse the words because pain in this area is close together. If it is about where the arm joins the body, you say 'Schulter'; if it is about the back of the neck, you say 'Nacken'.
Schulter
Nach dem Training tut mir die rechte Schulter weh.
After training, my right shoulder hurts.
Nacken
Vom langen Sitzen am Computer ist mein Nacken ganz steif geworden.
From sitting at the computer for a long time, my neck has become really stiff.
In real life
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