die  Lippe

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlɪpə/

👄 What exactly is a 'Lippe'?

The German word die Lippe (plural: die Lippen) primarily refers to two things:

• Anatomically: One of the two fleshy, movable edges that border the mouth opening in humans and many animals. A distinction is made between the Oberlippe (upper lip) and the Unterlippe (lower lip). They are important for speaking, eating, kissing, and facial expressions.
• Figuratively / Technically: An edge-like border or a protruding rim on an object, e.g., the Tassenlippe (the rim of a cup) or the Wundlippe (the edge of a wound).

⚠️ The main meaning is the anatomical one.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Lippe

The noun "Lippe" is feminine. The article is die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Sie hat sich auf die Lippe gebissen. (She bit her lip.)
2. Er las ihr jeden Wunsch von den Lippen ab. (He anticipated her every wish / He hung on her every word. - Lit: He read her every wish from her lips.)
3. Die Tasse hat eine kleine Macke an der Lippe. (The cup has a small chip on the rim/lip.)
4. Der Arzt untersuchte die geschwollene Lippe des Patienten. (The doctor examined the patient's swollen lip.)

🗣️ How to use "Lippe"?

"Die Lippe" is mostly used in its literal, anatomical sense.

• Everyday Language: Describing body parts ("rote Lippen" - red lips, "schmale Lippen" - thin lips), actions like kissing or speaking ("die Lippen bewegen" - to move the lips).
• Medicine: In the context of injuries (Schnittwunde an der Lippe - cut on the lip), diseases (Lippenherpes - cold sore), or cosmetic procedures.
• Idioms: There are several fixed expressions:
  • an jemandes Lippen hängen: to hang on someone's every word. (Lit: to hang on someone's lips)
  • sich (Dativ) auf die Lippe beißen: to bite one's lip (to hold back from saying something; to suppress pain).
  • ein Lippenbekenntnis ablegen: to pay lip service (to assure something only with words, without meaning it or acting accordingly).
  • etwas über die Lippen bringen: to manage to say something (often unpleasant). (Lit: to bring something over the lips)
• Technical/Figurative Meaning: Less common, but possible, e.g., the rim of a container ("die Lippe der Vase" - the lip of the vase) or the edge of a wound.

Compared to "Mund" (mouth), "Lippe" refers specifically to the outer edges, while "Mund" can mean the entire opening and the inner cavity.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Lippe"

1. Article Mnemonic: Imagine a diva (feminine -> die) applying lipstick to her Lippen. Die Diva, die Lippe.

2. Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'lip-reading'. You read from the Lippen. The English word 'lip' sounds somewhat similar to the German Lippe. Or, think of the 'p' sounds when making a kissing sound with your Lippen.

🔁 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

Similar Words (Careful!):

• Lippfisch: A wrasse (type of fish), masculine: der Lippfisch, named after its fleshy lips. Don't confuse it with the body part!

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Zahnarzt den Patienten: "Soll ich Ihnen die Lippe betäuben?"
Sagt der Patient: "Nur wenn Sie Angst haben, dass ich Sie beiße!" 😉

Translation:
The dentist asks the patient: "Should I numb your lip?"
The patient replies: "Only if you're afraid I'll bite you!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Lip

Die Lippe, weich und rot,
Spricht Wort und Kussgebot.
Mal schmal, mal voll geschwellt,
Ein Teil der Menschenwelt.

Sie schweigt, sie lacht, sie schmeckt,
Hat manchen Sinn geweckt.
Ein Bogen zart und fein,
So soll die Lippe sein.

Translation:
The lip, soft and red,
Speaks word and kiss's command instead.
Sometimes thin, sometimes swollen full,
A part of the human world, beautiful.

It's silent, it laughs, it tastes,
Has awakened many senses, no wastes.
An arch delicate and fine,
Thus the lip should shine.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch habe ich 'nen Rand.
Ich kann dich küssen, lieg' ich an deiner Hand?
Nein, im Gesicht bin ich zu finden,
Helfe dir, Worte zu verbinden.

Wer oder was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no mouth, but I have a rim.
I can kiss you, am I on your limb?
No, on the face I can be found,
Helping you connect words' sound.

What am I?
(Solution: die Lippe / the lip)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Compound Words (Komposita):

"Lippe" is part of many compound words:

• Lippenstift: Lipstick.
• Lippenbalsam / Lippenpflege: Lip balm / lip care.
• Lippenbekenntnis: (see Idioms) Lip service.
• Lippenlesen: Lip-reading.
• Oberlippe / Unterlippe: Upper lip / lower lip.
• Hasenlippe: Outdated and often considered discriminatory term for a cleft lip (part of a cleft lip and palate). The preferred medical term is Lippenspalte.

Trivia:

• The skin of the lips is particularly thin and sensitive because it lacks sebaceous glands and therefore dries out easily.
• The red area of the lips is also called the vermilion border or prolabium.