How do you say Back in German?

Today’s word is something you carry every day - literally. The German noun Rücken means back (as in the human back), and it shows up constantly in daily conversations, health complaints, posture advice, and idioms. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, too!

Rücken is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der - der Rücken. Not sure how to get German noun gender right? Our quick 5-minute video lesson explains der, die, and das with examples that stick.

Real conversations where Rücken might come up

Rücken is one of those words that gets used by people of all ages - from kids with backpacks to adults with back pain. You’ll hear it at the doctor’s office, in the gym, or just while stretching on the couch.

- Mein Rücken tut weh.- Hast du wieder zu lange am Schreibtisch gesessen?(“My back hurts.” - “Did you sit at your desk too long again?”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Mara: Warum sitzt du so schief?Ben: Mein Rücken ist total verspannt.Mara: Willst du dich kurz hinlegen?

(Mara: Why are you sitting so crooked?Ben: My back is totally tense.Mara: Want to lie down for a bit?)

Grammar in action: How to use Rücken

Here’s how Rücken works across the four German cases:

• Nominative: Der Rücken tut weh.(The back hurts.)

• Accusative: Ich massiere deinen Rücken.(I’m massaging your back.)

• Dative: Mit dem Rücken habe ich seit Jahren Probleme.(I’ve had problems with my back for years.)

• Genitive: Die Muskeln des Rückens sind angespannt.(The muscles of the back are tight.)

Struggling with the German case system? Our clear, no-nonsense grammar course walks you through it step by step - no jargon, just real-world examples.