die
Unterlippe
👄 What exactly is die Unterlippe?
The German word die Unterlippe refers to the lower lip, the lower, movable part of the human mouth. It plays a significant role in speaking, eating, drinking, and facial expressions.
It is clearly a feminine noun, hence it's always die Unterlippe.
- Anatomically: The lower border of the mouth opening.
- Functionally: Involved in forming sounds (e.g., 'b', 'p', 'm'), food intake, and expressing emotions (e.g., pouting).
⚠️ No confusion: There is only this one meaning and the article die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of die Unterlippe
The word "Unterlippe" is a feminine noun. The definite article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Unterlippe |
| Genitive | der | Unterlippe |
| Dative | der | Unterlippe |
| Accusative | die | Unterlippe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Unterlippen |
| Genitive | der | Unterlippen |
| Dative | den | Unterlippen |
| Accusative | die | Unterlippen |
Example Sentences
- Er biss sich nervös auf die Unterlippe. (He nervously bit his lower lip.)
- Ihre Unterlippe zitterte leicht, als sie die Nachricht hörte. (Her lower lip trembled slightly when she heard the news.)
- Der Lippenstift betonte ihre volle Unterlippe. (The lipstick emphasized her full lower lip.)
- Beim Sprechen bewegt sich die Unterlippe stärker als die Oberlippe. (When speaking, the lower lip moves more than the upper lip.)
💬 How to use "Unterlippe"?
"Unterlippe" is mainly used in anatomical or descriptive contexts.
- Medicine/Anatomy: To precisely name the body part ("Eine Schwellung an der Unterlippe." - A swelling on the lower lip.)
- Describing people: To describe appearance ("Sie hat eine schmale Unterlippe." - She has a thin lower lip.)
- Facial expressions/Emotions: In relation to expressing feelings ("Er schob die Unterlippe vor Wut vor." - He pushed out his lower lip in anger., "Sie kaute nachdenklich auf ihrer Unterlippe." - She thoughtfully chewed on her lower lip.)
- Everyday language: Simply as the term for the lower part of the mouth ("Ich habe mir auf die Unterlippe gebissen." - I bit my lower lip.)
Compared to "Lippe" (lip), "Unterlippe" is more specific. However, sometimes just "Lippe" is used if the context makes it clear which lip is meant or if both lips are being referred to.
💡 Mnemonics for Unterlippe
Article Mnemonic: Remember that Lippe is feminine (like many German nouns ending in -e). Therefore, the lower lip is also feminine: die Unterlippe.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of something lying under the mouth – the Unterlippe is the part pointing downwards (under).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar terms)
- (There isn't a direct, commonly used synonym for Unterlippe. Sometimes descriptive phrases are used.)
- Untere Lippe (Lower lip - description)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Oberlippe: Upper lip.
Related / Similar Terms
😄 A little Joke
Warum hat die Unterlippe nie Geheimnisse?
Weil sie immer alles ausplaudert, was der Mund sagt!
(Why does the lower lip never have secrets?
Because it always spills everything the mouth says!)
📜 Poem about the Lip
Die Lippe unten, sanft und weich,
Teil vom Gesicht, dem Ausdruck reich.
Die Unterlippe, zart geformt,
Ob lachend, schmollend, ungenormt.
Sie hilft beim Kuss, beim Wort, beim Klang,
Ein Leben lang, ein Leben lang.
(The lip below, gentle and soft,
Part of the face, rich in expression oft.
The lower lip, delicately formed,
Whether laughing, pouting, unconformed.
It helps with kiss, with word, with sound,
Throughout life, all year round.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Teil von deinem Mund,
liege unter meinem Gegenstück, rund.
Beim Schmollen schieb ich mich gern vor,
beim Sprechen helf ich dem Ton im Chor.
Wer bin ich?
(I am a part of your mouth,
lying beneath my counterpart, round about.
When pouting, I like to push forward,
in speaking, I help the tone move onward.
Who am I?)
Solution: die Unterlippe (the lower lip)
🧩 Further Details
Word Composition
The word "Unterlippe" is a compound noun, composed of:
- unter-: Prefix indicating a position below or underneath.
- Lippe: The main noun, meaning 'lip'.
So, literally: the "under-lip" or lower lip.
Trivia
The skin of the lips, including the Unterlippe, is particularly thin and sensitive because it lacks sebaceous glands, making it prone to drying out.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Unterlippe?
The German word "Unterlippe" is feminine. The correct article is die. Therefore, it is always die Unterlippe (Nominative/Accusative Singular), der Unterlippe (Genitive/Dative Singular), and die Unterlippen (Nominative/Accusative Plural).