der  Zahn

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tsaːn/

🦷 What exactly is a 'Zahn'?

Der Zahn (plural: die Zähne) primarily refers to the hard, bone-like structure in the mouth of humans and many animals, used for biting, chewing, and grinding food. It's the German word for 'tooth'.

Figuratively, "Zahn" can also refer to a prong or point on tools or machine parts (e.g., der Zahn eines Sägeblatts - the tooth of a saw blade, der Zahn eines Zahnrads - the tooth of a gear).

Since only the article der was provided, we focus on this main meaning.

📊 Grammar of 'der Zahn' in Detail

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

Note: In the genitive singular, both forms ("Zahnes" and "Zahns") are common, with "Zahns" being slightly more frequent. In the dative singular, "Zahne" is archaic or elevated; "Zahn" is standard.

Example Sentences:

• Nominativ: Der Zahn wackelt. (The tooth is wobbly.)
• Genitiv: Die Füllung des Zahnes ist herausgefallen. (The filling of the tooth fell out.)
• Dativ: Ich habe Schmerzen an dem Zahn. (I have pain in that tooth.)
• Akkusativ: Der Zahnarzt zieht den Zahn. (The dentist pulls the tooth.)
• Plural: Kinder bekommen zuerst Milchzähne. (Children first get milk teeth.)

🗣️ How to use 'der Zahn'?

• Everyday Use: Talking about teeth, dental care, dentist visits ("Ich muss mir die Zähne putzen." - I have to brush my teeth., "Mein Zahn tut weh." - My tooth hurts.).
• Idioms:
  • "Jemandem auf den Zahn fühlen": (Literally: to feel someone's tooth) To carefully question someone, to sound someone out.
  • "Einen Zahn zulegen": (Literally: to add a tooth/gear) To hurry up, speed up.
  • "Der Zahn der Zeit": (The tooth of time) The destructive effect of time on things (e.g., buildings).
  • "Haare auf den Zähnen haben": (Literally: to have hair on one's teeth) To be very argumentative or opinionated.
• Technical Meaning: Term for prongs on tools or machines ("Die Säge hat scharfe Zähne." - The saw has sharp teeth., "Ein Zahnrad greift in das andere." - One gear meshes with the other.).

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Zahn'

Article Mnemonic: Think of the dentist who takes care of the tooth. In German, 'dentist' is der Zahnarzt. Both start with 'Z' and share the masculine article 'der'. DER Zahnarzt helps with DER Zahn.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have a pain in your tooth. You might groan "Ahhh!" It's almost in Z-ahn. And remember, a tooth helps you 'zan' (bite into) food!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Misleadingly Similar Words:

• Die Zange: (pliers/tongs) Sounds similar, but it's a tool and feminine (die Zange).

😄 A little Joke

German: Fragt der Zahnarzt: "Wollen Sie Gas?"
Antwortet der Patient: "Um Himmels Willen, nein! Fangen Sie lieber ganz normal an zu bohren!"

English Translation: The dentist asks: "Would you like gas?"
The patient replies: "Good heavens, no! Just start drilling normally!" (A play on words - 'Gas geben' also means 'to accelerate/step on the gas' in German, which the patient misinterprets as the drilling speed).

📜 A Poem about the Tooth

German:
Im Mund, da steht er, fest und weiß,
der Zahn, er leistet seinen Preis.
Beim Kauen hilft er, groß und klein,
\drum putz ihn fleißig, lass es sein,
das Naschen süß, bei Tag und Nacht,
damit der Zahn noch lange lacht!

English Translation:
In the mouth, it stands, firm and white,
the tooth, it pays its price.
It helps with chewing, large and small,
so brush it well, don't let it fall
to sugary treats, by day and night,
so that the tooth laughs long and bright!

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe eine Krone, doch bin kein König.
Ich habe Wurzeln, doch wachse nicht im Beet.
Manchmal muss ich raus, das ist nicht schönig.
Wer bin ich, der im Mund oft gerade steht?

English Translation:
I have a crown, but am not a king.
I have roots, but don't grow in a flowerbed.
Sometimes I must come out, which isn't pleasing.
Who am I, often standing straight in the head (mouth)?

Solution: Der Zahn (The tooth)

🧩 Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Zahn" comes from Old High German "zan" and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages (cf. English "tooth", Dutch "tand").
• Compounds: There are many compound words with "Zahn", e.g., Zahnarzt (dentist), Zahnschmerzen (toothache), Zahnbürste (toothbrush), Zahnpasta (toothpaste), Zahnseide (dental floss), Zahnrad (gear), Backenzahn (molar), Schneidezahn (incisor), Eckzahn (canine tooth), Milchzahn (milk tooth).
• Trivia: An adult human typically has 32 permanent teeth (including wisdom teeth).