German · Body & Health
"Head" in German: Kopf
der Kopf
Head in German is der Kopf, a masculine noun. A headache is Kopfschmerzen. Thinking can be im Kopf, and shaking your head is den Kopf schütteln.
At a pharmacy
Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Kopf
Say it
kopf
/kɔpf/
Kopf, like English "cop" with a clear f at the end. Short o. One syllable.
"Head" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| der Kopf | head The body part and several idioms. | The body part and several idioms. |
| die Kopfschmerzen | headache Usually plural in German. | Usually plural in German. |
| im Kopf | in one's head For thoughts and mental images. | For thoughts and mental images. |
| den Kopf schütteln | to shake one's head Gesture of no or disbelief. | Gesture of no or disbelief. |
How to use Kopf in real life
- 1At a pharmacy
Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen.
I have a bad headache.
Kopfschmerzen is the usual plural form.
- 2Thinking aloud
Der Name ist mir nicht im Kopf.
The name isn't in my head.
Means you can't recall it.
- 3At the hairdresser
Nur die Haare oben am Kopf, bitte.
Just the hair on top of the head, please.
Am Kopf = on the head.
Mistakes English speakers make with Kopf
Incorrect: das Kopf
Correct: der Kopf
Kopf is masculine. Accusative: den Kopf.
Incorrect: Ich habe Kopfschmerz.
Correct: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
Germans usually use the plural Kopfschmerzen.
Good to know
Kopf appears in many fixed phrases: den Kopf verlieren (to lose your head), den Kopf hoch! (chin up!), and etwas im Kopf behalten (to keep something in mind). Learning a few of these helps more than anatomy lists alone.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Feeling unwell at a café
ChatPal
Alles okay? Du hältst deinen Kopf.
Everything okay? You're holding your head.
You
Mein Kopf tut weh.
My head hurts.
ChatPal
Soll ich dir eine Tablette für den Kopf holen?
Should I get you a tablet for your head?
You
Ja bitte. Der Kopf pocht seit einer Stunde.
Yes please. The head has been pounding for an hour.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Head" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Head" in German
How do you say headache?
Kopfschmerzen, usually plural: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
Is Kopf masculine?
Yes: der Kopf. Many body parts have their own genders; don't assume from English.
What does im Kopf mean?
In one's head, for thoughts: Ich habe die Melodie im Kopf.
How do you say shake your head?
Den Kopf schütteln. For nodding: nicken.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
