Fuß

Fuß is the German noun for the distal part of the lower limb, commonly translated as "foot" in English. It bears body weight, facilitates locomotion, and provides balance. The term is masculine (der Fuß) and forms many compounds, such as Fußgänger (pedestrian), Fußboden (floor), and Fußabdruck (footprint). The plural is Füße.

Anatomically, the foot comprises bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. It consists of the hindfoot (tarsal bones, including the calcaneus and talus), the midfoot, and the forefoot (metatarsals and phalanges). The ankle joint (Fußgelenk) connects to the leg. The arches (longitudinal and transverse) help absorb shock and distribute weight during standing and movement.

Etymology: The word derives from Old High German fuoz; cognate with Dutch voet, English foot, and Swedish fot, all from Proto-Germanic *fōt-; related to the Proto-Indo-European root *ped-.

Usage and related terms: Common terms include Fußsohle (sole of the foot), Fußrücken (top of the foot), and Fußgänger (pedestrian). Foot measurements influence shoe sizing (Schuhgröße). Footwear and gait are studied in medicine, sports science, and ergonomics.

Spelling: In German orthography, the ß character appears after long vowels or diphthongs; in contexts where ß is unavailable, Fuss is used as an equivalent. In Swiss German, Fuss is more common.