German word

beißen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbaɪ̯sn̩/

Meaning

  • verbbite

Example

Der Hund beißt den Knochen.

The dog bites the bone.

Illustration for beißen (bite)

More examples

Er beißt sich aus Versehen auf die Zunge.

He accidentally bites his tongue.

Core concept

Teeth seize part of something and press into it with enough force to mark, hold, or divide it.

Common phrases

  • sich auf die Zunge beißen

    bite one's tongue

  • in die Wange beißen

    bite one's cheek

  • an etwas beißen

    bite at ___

Similar words

kauen: To chew food repeatedly until it is easier to swallow.
hineinbeißen: To bite forcefully into food or another object.
abbeißen: To cut off a piece of something hard with the teeth.
knabbern: To nibble small amounts gently from something with the teeth.

Definition in German

mit den Zähnen in etwas hineinbeißen, es dadurch festhalten oder durch Trennen in Teile teilen

Word origin

The modern verb developed from Proto-Germanic *bītaną through the Old High German form bīzan, cognate with English bite.

Usage tips

  • Beißen in etwas means to bite into something, while kauen describes chewing after the bite.

Other meanings

  • gnawverb

Related words

  • der Bissbitenoun
  • bissigbitingadjective

Word lists with this word