German · Body & Health

"Brain" in German: Gehirn

das Gehirn

Say it: guh-HEERNneuter · das Gehirnnoun/ɡəˈhɪʁn/

Brain in German is das Gehirn. Soft everyday talk often says Kopf for head thoughts, but Gehirn is the organ headword.

Health class

Das Gehirn braucht Schlaf und Wasser.
The brain needs sleep and water.
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How to pronounce Gehirn

Say it

guh-HEERN

/ɡəˈhɪʁn/

guh-HEERN. Soft ge-, long ie like ear, final n. Neuter: das Gehirn.

"Brain" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
das Gehirnthe brain

Organ noun.

Gehirnerschütterungconcussion

Medical compound.

Hirnbrain (short/food)

Shorter; also culinary.

Kopfhead

Different word for everyday thinking talk.

How to use Gehirn in real life

  1. 1Health class

    Das Gehirn braucht Schlaf und Wasser.

    The brain needs sleep and water.

    Das Gehirn.

  2. 2After a bump

    Sie prüfen, ob das Gehirn okay ist.

    They're checking whether the brain is okay.

    Das Gehirn.

  3. 3Science museum

    Schau, so groß ist ein Gehirn im Modell.

    Look, that's how big a brain is in the model.

    Ein Gehirn.

Mistakes English speakers make with Gehirn

Incorrect: der Gehirn

Correct: das Gehirn

Gehirn is neuter.

Incorrect: Mein Brain ist müde.

Correct: Mein Gehirn ist müde. / Mein Kopf ist müde.

Use Gehirn or Kopf.

Good to know

Soft self-care talk mixes Gehirn with Kopf: Mein Kopf ist voll. Serious medical German keeps Gehirn. Museums and podcasts love Gehirn metaphors.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

After a long study day

  1. ChatPal

    Fühlt sich dein Gehirn leer an?

    Does your brain feel empty?

  2. You

    Ja. Mein Gehirn will Pause.

    Yes. My brain wants a break.

  3. ChatPal

    Dann gönnen wir dem Gehirn Luft.

    Then let's give the brain some air.

  4. You

    Spaziergang hilft dem Gehirn immer.

    A walk always helps the brain.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Brain" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Brain" in German

Gender?

Neuter: das Gehirn.

Gehirn vs Kopf?

Gehirn is the organ; Kopf is head and everyday thinking talk.

Concussion?

Gehirnerschütterung.

Plural?

Die Gehirne (rare outside science).

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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