das  Maul

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/maʊl/

👄 What does 'das Maul' mean?

The German word das Maul (plural: die Mäuler) primarily refers to:

• Animal's mouth: The mouth opening of animals, especially mammals. Example: Der Hund hat ein großes Maul. (The dog has a big mouth.) 🐕
• Human's mouth (colloquial, often derogatory): It can also be used for the human mouth, but it usually sounds coarse, rude, or disrespectful. Example: Halt dein Maul! (Shut your mouth! / Shut up!) - This is very impolite! 🤫

🚨 Attention: Using *das Maul* for humans mostly carries a negative connotation and should be avoided in polite conversation. The neutral word for the human mouth is der Mund.

📚 Grammar Corner: 'das Maul'

Das Maul is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum).

Example Sentences

1. Der Löwe öffnete sein riesiges Maul.
   (The lion opened its huge mouth.)
2. Pass auf, dass der Hund dich nicht ins Maul beißt.
   (Be careful that the dog doesn't bite your mouth. - referring to the dog's mouth)
3. Dem Esel hängt der Hafer zum Maul(e) heraus. (Idiom)
   (Literally: Oats hang out of the donkey's mouth. Meaning: To be fed up with something.)
4. (Colloquial, rude): Er hat ein loses Maul und redet zu viel.
   (He has a loose mouth / big mouth and talks too much.)
5. (Very impolite): Reiß nicht so dein Maul auf!
   (Don't open your trap so wide! / Stop shouting!)

🗣️ How to Use 'das Maul'

The usage of das Maul strongly depends on the context:

• For animals: Completely neutral and correct term for the mouth area. (Das Pferd frisst Hafer aus dem Maul. - The horse eats oats from its mouth.) 🐎
• For humans: Almost always colloquial and often derogatory or insulting. It expresses anger, disrespect, or a very casual attitude. (Er hat ein freches Maul. - He has a cheeky/insolent mouth.)
• Idioms: There are many idiomatic expressions using *Maul*, e.g.:
  • sich das Maul zerreißen: to gossip nastily about someone
  • jemandem das Maul stopfen: to silence someone (often with money or threats)
  • kein Blatt vor das Maul nehmen: to speak one's mind openly and directly
  • eine große Klappe / ein großes Maul haben: to brag, boast, be lippy

⚠️ Important difference: For humans, der Mund is the neutral and polite word. Das Maul should only be used intentionally and usually in informal, often negative contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Maul'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of das Tier (the animal). Animals have *das Fell* (fur), *das Auge* (eye), and also *das Maul*. The 'au' sound might vaguely remind you of the 'a' in das. Or imagine an *a*nimal saying 'MAUL!' - the 'a' links to d*a*s.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Picture an animal shouting 'MOW!' (like 'Maul') loudly from its big *mouth*. For humans, it sounds 'foul' to use *Maul* because it's rude.

"The animal has das Maul, it gives a big yowl!"

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but different words

• Maultier/Maulesel: mule (A crossbreed of a female horse and a male donkey). Although it contains *Maul*, it refers to the animal itself.
• Maulwurf: mole (A small, burrowing mammal).
• Maulkorb: muzzle (A device placed over an animal's mouth to prevent biting).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum flüstern sich Pferde Geheimnisse ins Maul?
Damit es unter vier Ohren bleibt – aber nicht weitergesagt wird! 😉

English: Why do horses whisper secrets into each other's mouths (Maul)?
So that it stays between four ears – but doesn't get passed on! 😉 (Pun on 'weitergesagt' - passed on / 'weiter gesagt' - said further)

📜 A Short Poem

German:
Das Krokodil, mit großem Maul,
liegt träge da und ist ganz faul.
Doch öffnet es den Rachen weit,
ist für die Flucht die höchste Zeit!

Beim Menschen sei gewarnt, o Graus,
kommt 'Maul' statt 'Mund' ihm aus dem Haus.
Es klingt oft grob, nicht fein und lieb,
drum bleib beim 'Mund', sonst gibt's oft Hieb.

English Translation:
The crocodile, with its great Maul,
Lies lazily, giving its all
To doing nothing. But beware,
When jaws fly open wide in air!

With humans, caution is advised,
If 'Maul' not 'Mund' is exercised.
It often sounds quite rough and mean,
So stick to 'Mund', keep the slate clean.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich hab's beim Hund, beim Pferd, beim Schwein,
doch nutz es beim Menschen nur, wenn's muss grob sein.
Ich kann fressen, bellen, schnauben,
manchmal muss man mir was klauben.
Man sagt, ich soll es manchmal halten,
um keinen Streit zu entfalten.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: das Maul

English:
I belong to the dog, the horse, the swine,
But use me for humans only when coarse is the line.
I can eat, bark, or snort with might,
Sometimes things must be picked from my site.
They say I should sometimes be held quite tight,
To avoid starting an ugly fight.

What am I?

Solution: das Maul (the mouth/maw/trap)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Word Origin: *Maul* is an old Germanic word. It's related to words in other Germanic languages (e.g., English 'mouth' - where the meaning shifted to become the neutral term). The German *Mund* is also related.
• Idioms Galore: The large number of idioms featuring *Maul* shows how prominent the term (especially its figurative meaning) is in the German language.
• Cultural Connotation: The negative connotation when used for humans might reflect a historical view where rough or loud speech was considered impolite or animalistic.