der  Mund

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/mʊnt/

👄 Definition of "der Mund"

The German word der Mund (plural: die Münder) primarily refers to the bodily opening in the face of humans and animals used for eating, drinking, breathing, and speaking (in humans) or vocalizing (in animals). It's the equivalent of the English word 'mouth'.

It can also be used figuratively:

• Opening: The mouth of a river or a container (although the specific word die Mündung is more common for this).
• Spokesperson: Representing someone who speaks for others (e.g., "Er ist der Mund der Partei" - *He is the mouth(piece) of the party*).

Since only the article "der" was provided, we focus on this masculine form.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Focus: Der Mund

"Mund" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Note: The forms ending in "-e" in the Genitive and Dative singular (Mundes, Munde) are considered more formal or slightly dated, but are correct.

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Er öffnete den Mund, um etwas zu sagen. (He opened his mouth to say something. - Accusative Singular)
2. Das Essen schmeckte ihrem Munde sehr gut. (The food tasted very good to her mouth. - Dative Singular - formal)
3. Aus dem Mund des Kindes kam ein Lachen. (Laughter came from the child's mouth. - Dative Singular)
4. Die Münder der Zuhörer standen offen vor Erstaunen. (The listeners' mouths were open in astonishment. - Nominative Plural)
5. Der Zahnarzt schaute in viele Münder. (The dentist looked into many mouths. - Accusative Plural)

🗣️ Everyday Use of "Mund"

"Der Mund" is a very common word in German, often used in its direct, anatomical sense.

Typical Contexts:

• Eating & Drinking: "Mach den Mund nicht so voll!" (Don't stuff your mouth!)
• Speaking: "Halte den Mund!" (Shut your mouth! / Be quiet!), "Er redet, wie ihm der Schnabel gewachsen ist." (He speaks his mind freely - idiom, literally 'He talks the way his beak grew.')
• Health: "Ich habe eine Aphte im Mund." (I have a canker sore in my mouth.)

Common Idioms (Selection):

• Seinen Mund halten: To keep quiet (literally: to hold one's mouth).
• Nicht auf den Mund gefallen sein: To be quick-witted, articulate (literally: not to have fallen on one's mouth).
• Jemandem nach dem Munde reden: To flatter someone, tell them what they want to hear (literally: to talk according to someone's mouth).
• Den Mund voll nehmen: To boast, exaggerate (literally: to take the mouth full).
• In aller Munde sein: To be the talk of the town (literally: to be in everyone's mouth).

Comparison with other words:

• Maul: Often used for animals, or pejoratively/colloquially for the human mouth ("Halt dein Maul!" - Shut your trap!).
• Schnauze: Mostly refers to an animal's snout, but can also be used very rudely for the human mouth ("Halt die Schnauze!" - Shut your snout/trap! - very vulgar).
• Mündung: Means the mouth of a river, the muzzle of a gun, or the opening of a pipe.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Mund"

Remembering the Article (der): Think of a MAN (der Mann) speaking with his MOUTH (der Mund). Or think that men often have beards (der Bart) around der Mund.

Remembering the Meaning (mouth): The German word "Mund" sounds a bit like the English word "mound". Picture your lips forming a little "mound" when your mouth is closed.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!)

• Munter: Adjective meaning 'lively', 'cheerful'.
• Mündung: Noun (die Mündung) meaning 'river mouth', 'opening', 'muzzle'.
• Mündlich: Adjective meaning 'oral', 'spoken'.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Zahnarzt: "Möchten Sie Lachgas?"
Patient: "Ist mir egal, Hauptsache, Sie reißen mir nicht den Mund auf, wenn ich lache!"

EN: The dentist asks: "Would you like laughing gas?"
Patient: "I don't care, as long as you don't rip my mouth open when I laugh!"

📜 Poem About the Mouth

DE:
Der Mund, ein Tor zu Wort und Klang,
Mal leise flüsternd, mal Gesang.
Er kostet süß und schmecket bitter,
Erzählt Geschichten, auch Gewitter.
Ein Lächeln zeigt er, hell und breit,
Der Mund, bereit für jede Zeit.

EN:
The mouth, a gate to word and sound,
Sometimes whispering softly, sometimes song profound.
It tastes the sweet and savors bitter,
Tells stories, even storms that glitter.
A smile it shows, so bright and wide,
The mouth, prepared for any tide.

❓ Fun Riddle

DE:
Ich habe Lippen, doch küsse nie.
Ich kann sprechen, doch habe keine Stimme in mir (ohne dich).
Ich esse und trinke, doch habe keinen Bauch.
Was bin ich?

EN:
I have lips, but never kiss.
I can speak, but have no voice within (without you).
I eat and drink, but have no belly.
What am I?

Solution: Der Mund (The mouth)

🤓 More About "der Mund"

• Word Formation (Wortbildung): Many words can be formed from "Mund", e.g., mündlich (adj. - oral, spoken), Mundwerk (noun - ability to talk, often chatterbox), Mundart (noun - dialect), Mundschutz (noun - face mask), Mundharmonika (noun - harmonica), Mündung (noun - opening/mouth of river/gun).
• Etymology: The word comes from the Old High German "mund" and has Indo-European roots often associated with "opening" or "chewing".
• Cultural Note: The mouth (der Mund) plays a significant role in many cultures, whether in kissing as a sign of affection, eating as a social activity, or speaking as a means of communication and power.