der Unterschenkel
lower leg
The part of the human leg located between the knee and the ankle.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Foul hatte der Fußballspieler starke Schmerzen im Unterschenkel.
After the foul, the soccer player had severe pain in his lower leg.
der Unterschenkel
lower leg
der Unterschenkel, die Unterschenkel
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Unterschenkel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unterschenkel |
| genitive | des Unterschenkels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Unterschenkel | die Unterschenkel |
| accusative | den Unterschenkel | die Unterschenkel |
| dative | dem Unterschenkel | den Unterschenkeln |
| genitive | des Unterschenkels | der Unterschenkel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is a clear compound of 'unter' (lower / under) and 'Schenkel' (thigh / leg segment). It refers to the lower part of the leg, in contrast to the upper part.
EXAMPLE
Beim Wandern hat sie sich am Unterschenkel verletzt.
She injured her lower leg while hiking.
Word family
The counterpart to 'Unterschenkel' (lower leg) is 'Oberschenkel' (thigh), the part of the leg between the hip and the knee. Together, both words describe the main parts of the leg.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt untersuchte sowohl den Ober- als auch den Unterschenkel.
The doctor examined both the upper and lower leg.
Typical collocations
This word is often used in medical or sports contexts. Typical verbs and phrases are 'sich den Unterschenkel brechen' (to break one's lower leg), 'Schmerzen im Unterschenkel haben' (to have pain in the lower leg), or 'eine Wunde am Unterschenkel versorgen' (to treat a wound on the lower leg).
EXAMPLE
Der Läufer spürte nach dem Marathon einen Krampf im Unterschenkel.
After the marathon, the runner felt a cramp in his lower leg.
In real life
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