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 den Leib nicht mehr.
She could no longer feel her body.
Dative:
Mit dem 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
Leib is not the go-to word for "body" in a medical or everyday sense — that’s Körper. However, Leib survives in deeply rooted expressions, many of which convey emotion or have religious overtones. 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.
In modern language, one of the most important verbs used with this word is spüren (to feel): Ich spürte meinen Leib nicht mehr — “I couldn’t feel my body anymore.” You might also hear phrases like ein gesunder Leib (a healthy body), but again, these lean poetic or old-fashioned.
It’s also helpful to note that Leib shows up in compound words — though they, too, can feel antiquated. For example, Leibwächter (bodyguard), Leibspeise (favorite dish — literally "body food"), or Leibarzt (personal physician to someone of high status). While these terms are still used, their tone can carry a slight sense of tradition or elevated formality.
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 sich mit dem ganzen Körper und Herz engagiert.
A: What does “with body and soul” mean?
B: That you give yourself with your whole body and heart.
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 Day
Now 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.