Some words aren’t used lightly. Corpse in German is one of those that often appears in stories, headlines, or police reports — but also sometimes in humor, idioms, or cultural slang.

The German word is die Leiche. It’s feminine, and the plural is die Leichen. You’ll see it often in crime dramas, detective novels, or news stories. If you want a solid handle on when to use die versus der or das, my gender video lesson gives you the tools you need.

Leiche is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and while it’s a heavy word, it’s also an essential one.

Examples in all four cases:

Nominative:
Die Leiche wurde heute früh gefunden.
The corpse was found early this morning.

Accusative:
Die Polizei untersucht die Leiche.
The police are examining the corpse.

Dative:
Mit der Leiche wurde vorsichtig umgegangen.
The corpse was handled carefully.

Genitive:
Die Identität der Leiche ist noch unklar.
The identity of the corpse is still unclear.

Real-World Tips for Learners

Leiche is typically used in forensic or medical contexts, but it also appears in figurative expressions or even dark humor.

Examples from media and everyday speech:

• Tatort mit einer Leiche – crime scene with a corpse

• eine alte Leiche im Keller haben – to have a skeleton in the closet (literally: an old corpse in the basement)

• Leichenhalle – morgue

• Leichenschmaus – funeral reception (meal after a burial)

There’s also the related verb leichen, though it’s rare — instead, more common are compound forms or verb phrases:

• eine Leiche finden / bergen / untersuchen – to find/recover/examine a corpse

• Leichenspürhund – cadaver dog

• Leichnam is a more formal synonym (used more in religious or legal contexts)

Don’t mix up Leiche with Körper (body — still alive) or Person (person). Leiche always means the body of someone deceased.

Beginner dialogue using Leiche:

A: Was ist im Wald passiert?
B: Sie haben eine Leiche gefunden, aber niemand weiß, wer es war.
A: What happened in the forest?
B: They found a corpse, but nobody knows who it was.

Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Leiche.

“Was denkst du, fühlt sich anders an, wenn man eine Leiche in einem Film sieht — statt in echt?”
What do you think feels different about seeing a corpse in a movie — compared to in real life?

Take a moment to phrase your thoughts in German.

Duden entry for “Leiche”

German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say corpse in German — and how die Leiche adds seriousness, depth, or mystery to conversations and media.

Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to keep building your vocabulary with meaning and nuance.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Leidenschaft — and explore the deep emotions behind effort and intensity.
Or revisit Leistung — and learn how to talk about success and output in everyday life.