German word

Kiefer

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkiːfɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounjaw

Example

Sein Kiefer tut weh.

His jaw hurts.

Illustration for Kiefer (jaw)

More examples

Beim Öffnen des Mundes bemerkte sie ein Knacken im Kiefer.

When she opened her mouth, she noticed a clicking in her jaw.

Core concept

A hinged bony frame surrounds the teeth, while the same word can also name a tall evergreen tree.

Common phrases

  • Knacken im Kiefer

    clicking in the jaw

  • verspannter Kiefer

    tense jaw

  • eingeschränkte Kieferöffnung

    restricted jaw opening

Similar words

Unterkiefer: The lower jawbone, which holds the lower teeth and moves the mouth.
Oberkiefer: The upper jawbone, which holds the upper teeth in the middle of the face.
Kinn: The projecting part of the lower face near the front of the lower jaw.
Mund: The area inside and around the opening used for eating and speaking.

Definition in German

Der knöcherne Abschnitt im Mundbereich, der die Zähne trägt und das Kauen erlaubt.

Word origin

The jaw sense continues Middle High German kiver, while the tree sense developed from a different Middle High German word, kien or kiene.

Usage tips

  • The jaw sense is feminine and has the plural Kiefer, whereas the pine sense usually has the plural Kiefern.

Other meanings

  • pinenoun

Related words

  • Kiefermuskulaturjaw musculaturenoun
  • Kiefergelenkarthroseosteoarthritis of the jaw jointnoun

Word lists with this word