German word

Biss

Pronunciation

IPA/bɪs/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbite mark

Example

Auf dem Apfel war ein kleiner Biss zu sehen.

There was a small bite mark on the apple.

Illustration for Biss (bite mark)

More examples

Der Hund hinterließ einen klaren Biss an meinem Bein.

The dog left a clear bite mark on my leg.

Core concept

Teeth leave a small gap in an apple or a visible impression in skin, with the same action producing either result.

Common phrases

  • ein Biss vom Hund

    a bite from the dog

  • ein schmerzhafter Biss

    a painful bite

Similar words

Bissen: A single small piece taken from food by biting.
Happen: A small portion of food suitable for picking up.
Mundvoll: As much food as can fit into the mouth in one bite.
Bissabdruck: A distinct mark left where teeth press into food or another material.

Definition in German

Ein durch Zähne abgetrenntes kleines Stück von Nahrung oder die sichtbare Spur, die Zähne an Gegenständen oder an der Haut hinterlassen.

Word origin

Biss developed from the Germanic root of beißen, which is also related to English bite, while its older German forms include Old High German bīz.

Usage tips

  • For a wound, German often uses Biss in compounds such as Hundebiss or Bisswunde, which makes the source or injury explicit.

Other meanings

  • bitenoun

Related words

  • Bisswundebite woundnoun
  • Anbissfirst bitenoun

Word lists with this word