German word

Zahn

Pronunciation

IPA/tsaːn/

Meaning

  • masculine nountooth

Example

Der Zahn tut weh.

The tooth hurts.

Illustration for Zahn (tooth)

More examples

Am Zahnrad fehlt ein Zahn.

A tooth is missing from the gearwheel.

Core concept

A small hard point that grips and breaks what presses against it.

Common phrases

  • am Zahn bohren

    drill a tooth

  • einen Zahn behandeln

    treat a tooth

  • ein abgebrochener Zahn

    a broken tooth

Similar words

Zahnarzt: A doctor who examines and treats teeth.
Zahnschmerzen: Pain or discomfort in the teeth.
Zahnfleisch: Soft tissue inside the mouth that supports the teeth.
Backenzahn: A large back tooth used to crush and grind food.

Definition in German

Hartes, im Mund verankertes Organ zum Zerkleinern von Nahrung; im technischen Bereich auch ein Vorsprung an einem Zahnrad.

Word origin

Zahn is inherited from Proto-Germanic *tanþs and is cognate with English tooth; its gear sense developed from the similar shape and function of a natural tooth.

Usage tips

  • The plural is Zähne, with an umlaut, so die Zähne means 'the teeth' or 'the gear teeth' depending on context.

Other meanings

  • cognoun

Related words

  • Zahnradgearwheelnoun
  • Zahnprothesedental prosthesisnoun
  • Zahnmedizindentistrynoun

Word lists with this word