German · Body & Health

"Neck" in German: Hals

der Hals

Say it: hahlsmasculine · der Halsnoun/hals/

Neck in German is der Hals, masculine. Sore throat is oft Halsschmerzen. A scarf goes um den Hals.

Winter dress

Wickel dir den Schal eng um den Hals.
Wrap the scarf tightly around your neck.
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How to pronounce Hals

Say it

hahls

/hals/

hahls. Long ah. Final s sharp. One syllable.

"Neck" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Halsthe neck / throat

Masculine; context decides neck vs throat.

Halsschmerzensore throat

Illness phrase.

um den Halsaround the neck

Jewelry or scarf.

Halskettenecklace

Compound.

How to use Hals in real life

  1. 1Winter dress

    Wickel dir den Schal eng um den Hals.

    Wrap the scarf tightly around your neck.

    Um den Hals.

  2. 2Doctor visit

    Mein Hals ist seit gestern entzündet.

    My neck/throat has been inflamed since yesterday.

    Mein Hals.

  3. 3Jewelry

    Die Kette liegt schön am Hals.

    The necklace sits nicely on the neck.

    Am Hals.

Mistakes English speakers make with Hals

Incorrect: Die Hals tut weh.

Correct: Der Hals tut weh.

Hals is masculine: der Hals.

Incorrect: Mein Nacken ist Hals. (mix-up)

Correct: Mein Hals / Mein Nacken tut weh.

Nacken is the back of the neck; Hals is neck/throat more generally.

Good to know

Hals covers both neck and throat, so Mein Hals tut weh might mean a sore throat. For the nape, Nacken is clearer—useful at the masseur.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing a scarf before a cold wind

  1. ChatPal

    Ist dir der Hals warm genug?

    Is your neck warm enough?

  2. You

    Noch nicht. Der Hals friert schon.

    Not yet. My neck is already freezing.

  3. ChatPal

    Hier, dieser Schal für den Hals.

    Here, this scarf for your neck.

  4. You

    Danke. Jetzt fühlt sich der Hals besser an.

    Thanks. Now my neck feels better.

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"Neck" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Neck" in German

What gender is Hals?

Masculine: der Hals.

Hals or Nacken?

Hals is general neck/throat; Nacken is the back of the neck.

How do you say sore throat?

Halsschmerzen or Ich habe Halsweh.

How do you say necklace?

Die Halskette.

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