noun
back
A2
“Rücken” (der) means the back (body part). Plural: Rücken (no spelling change). Genitive singular is des Rückens with -s. Masculine noun; declension regular. Common collocations: am Rücken (on the back), Rückenschmerzen, jmdm. den Rücken stärken/kehren. No reflexivity or special preposition; idiomatic uses.
Examples
Der Physiotherapeut massierte den Rücken des Mannes, weil die Verspannungen stark waren.
The physiotherapist massaged the man's back because the tensions were severe.
Mein Rücken tut weh, weil ich gestern falsch gehoben habe.
My back hurts because I lifted incorrectly yesterday.
Ich habe Rückenschmerzen.
I have back pain.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a human silhouette highlighting the back area.
Rücken sounds like 'ricken' — imagine a ridge along the back.
der Rücken — masculine: imagine a strong man (der) with a broad back.
Notes
Used for the body part and sometimes for furniture (back of a chair).