die
Wange
😊 What exactly is a Wange?
The word Wange (feminine, article: die) refers to the side part of the human face below the eye and between the nose and the ear. It is usually soft and can blush (erröten) with emotions like shame (Scham) or joy (Freude).
There is only this one article 'die' for the word Wange, which makes the assignment clear. 🥳
Besides the anatomical meaning, 'Wange' can also refer to a side piece in a technical context (e.g., of stairs - Treppenwange, or pliers - Zangenwange).
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: Die Wange in detail
The noun „Wange“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wange |
| Genitive | der | Wange |
| Dative | der | Wange |
| Accusative | die | Wange |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wangen |
| Genitive | der | Wangen |
| Dative | den | Wangen |
| Accusative | die | Wangen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Baby hat ganz rote Wangen vom Weinen. (The baby has very red cheeks from crying.)
- Er gab ihr einen Kuss auf die Wange. (He gave her a kiss on the cheek.)
- Die Träne lief ihr über die linke Wange. (The tear ran down her left cheek.)
- Bei dieser Treppe fehlen die seitlichen Wangen. (This staircase is missing the side stringers.)
💬 How to use die Wange?
The term die Wange is mainly used in the anatomical sense to describe the part of the face.
- Emotions: Often mentioned in connection with blushing or pallor („rote Wangen bekommen“ - to get red cheeks, „blass um die Wangen sein“ - to be pale around the cheeks).
- Affection: Target for kisses („Kuss auf die Wange“ - kiss on the cheek) or caresses.
- Technology/Craftsmanship: Less common, but possible, for side parts of objects (Treppenwange - stair stringer, Zangenwange - jaw of pliers).
In everyday language, the word 'Backe' is also common and often used as a synonym, although it can sometimes be perceived as slightly more informal or childlike.
💡 Mnemonics for Wange
Article Mnemonic: Think of the soft, gentle cheek – like 'die Zärtlichkeit' (tenderness), both are feminine. Or: Die Wange ends in -e, which is often (but not always!) a hint for a feminine noun in German.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone tapping your cheek and saying "I wan(t)-ge(t) your attention!" pointing at your cheek. Sounds a bit like Wange.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Backe: Very common synonym, often more informal.
- Gesichtshälfte (rare): Describes the area rather than specifically the cheek.
⚠️ Confusing Words:
😂 A little Joke
Warum haben Mathematiker so glatte Wangen?
Weil sie ständig Funktionen glätten!
(Why do mathematicians have such smooth cheeks?
Because they are constantly smoothing functions!)
✍️ Poem about the Wange
Die Wange, weich und oft so rot,
zeigt Freude, Scham im Morgenrot.
Ein Kuss darauf, ganz sanft und lieb,
die Wange fühlt den Herzensdieb.
(The cheek, soft and often so red,
shows joy, shame in the morning red.
A kiss upon it, gentle and dear,
the cheek feels the heart's thief near.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich lieg im Gesicht, bin selten allein,
werd' rot, wenn du schüchtern bist, mal blass, mal fein.
Ein Kuss landet oft sanft auf mir,
links und rechts von der Nase, das bin ich, hier!
Wer bin ich?
(I lie in the face, am seldom alone,
I turn red when you're shy, sometimes pale, sometimes fine.
A kiss often lands gently on me,
left and right of the nose, that's me, right here!)
Solution: die Wange (the cheek)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):
- Wangenknochen (der): Cheekbone.
- Wangenrot (das): Blush (natural redness of the cheeks); also makeup (rouge).
- Schmachtwange (die, archaic): Sunken cheek as a sign of sorrow or hunger.
- Treppenwange (die): Stair stringer (the side board supporting the steps).
Interesting: The word „Wange“ has Germanic roots and is related to the English word "wang" (archaic for cheek/jaw).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wange?
The word Wange is feminine, so the correct article is die Wange. It primarily refers to the part of the face between the nose, eye, and ear (cheek), but can also mean a side piece of technical objects.