21 December 2025
How do you say Body in German? Leib vs. Körper
While the modern word for the human body is Körper, there’s another German word that carries older, deeper, sometimes more poetic or religious meaning. That word is Leib. If you want to understand German prayers, idioms, and emotional phrases, you’ll want to learn how to say body in German - not just in the clinical sense, but in a heartfelt or symbolic one.
The word is der Leib, and it’s masculine. The plural form is die Leiber, though it’s rarely used in everyday conversation. If you’re not yet comfortable with gender and articles, my video lesson on gender is a quick and practical resource.
Leib is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, but that’s not because it’s used constantly in casual conversation. Rather, it survives thanks to its presence in fixed phrases, emotional idioms, religious contexts, and older or poetic language.
Examples in all four cases:
Nominative:Der Leib ist erschöpft.The body is exhausted.
Accusative:Sie spürte ihren Leib nicht mehr.She could no longer feel her body.
Dative:Mit seinem Leib schützt er das Kind.He shields the child with his body.
Genitive:Die Stärke des Leibes ließ nach.The strength of the body faded.
Real-World Tips for Learners
Körper is the general everyday word for “body.” Leib often sounds more elevated or literary on its own, but it remains current in many ordinary fixed expressions. You’ll find Leib in phrases like mit Leib und Seele (with body and soul), which means giving yourself fully to a cause or passion. In older texts, hymns, or religious speech, Leib is still the standard: Der Leib Christi (“the body of Christ”) is used in Catholic liturgy.
A useful current phrase is etwas am eigenen Leib erfahren - to experience something firsthand. For example: Ich habe das am eigenen Leib erfahren. - I experienced that firsthand. You might also hear phrases like ein gesunder Leib (a healthy body), but again, these lean poetic or old-fashioned.
Leib also appears in current compounds: der Leibwächter (bodyguard), die Leibspeise (favorite dish) and der Leibarzt (personal physician to someone of high status). Do not assume these words are antiquated just because they contain Leib.
As a learner, recognizing Leib will help you better understand songs, literature, and cultural nuance. You may not need to use it much yourself, but being able to interpret it can open doors to older German texts, religious material, or intense expressions of emotion.
Beginner dialogue using Leib:
A: Was bedeutet “mit Leib und Seele”?B: Dass man etwas mit voller Begeisterung macht.A: What does “with body and soul” mean?B: That you do something with wholehearted enthusiasm.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Leib.
“Wann hast du etwas mit Leib und Seele gemacht?”When did you do something with all your heart and soul?
Say your answer aloud in German and be sure to include Leib in the sentence.
German Word of the DayNow you know how to say body in German - and how der Leib adds intensity, history, and heartfelt tone to your vocabulary.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and go beyond surface meanings.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Check out Leid - and understand how emotion shapes polite speech.Or revisit Licht - and see how metaphor and daily life come together.
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