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A1 noun #5,500 más común 9 min de lectura

Lippe

Top 5,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos Lippe en 30 segundos

Explicación Lippe in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'die Lippe' is taught as a basic part of the body. You learn it alongside 'das Auge' (eye), 'die Nase' (nose), and 'der Mund' (mouth). The focus is on physical description and simple health issues. You should know that 'Lippe' is feminine ('die') and its plural is 'Lippen'. Common phrases include 'meine Lippen sind trocken' (my lips are dry) and 'der Lippenstift' (the lipstick). You might use it to describe a person in a very simple way: 'Sie hat rote Lippen.' It is important to distinguish 'Lippe' from 'Mund'; 'Lippe' is just the fleshy part, while 'Mund' is the whole mouth. In your first German lessons, you will use this word to talk about yourself, your family, or when you go to a pharmacy to buy lip balm.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Lippe' in more complex sentences involving reflexive verbs and basic idioms. You will learn to say 'Ich beiße mir auf die Lippen' (I bite my lips) using the dative reflexive 'mir'. You also start to see compound words like 'Lippenpflege' (lip care) and 'Lippenlesen' (lip reading). At this stage, you might encounter the word in simple stories or descriptions of emotions, such as 'Er lächelte, aber seine Lippen zitterten' (He smiled, but his lips trembled). You are expected to handle the plural forms correctly in different cases, such as 'mit den Lippen' (with the lips - dative plural). You also learn that 'Lippe' can be part of a person's name or a geographical location, though context will usually make the meaning clear.

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At the B1 level, you move beyond physical description into more idiomatic and social uses of 'Lippe'. You should be familiar with common expressions like 'an jemandes Lippen hängen' (to hang on someone's every word) and 'etwas über die Lippen bringen' (to manage to say something). You will encounter the word in more varied contexts, such as health articles discussing 'Lippenherpes' or beauty blogs discussing the latest 'Lippen-Make-up'. Your vocabulary expands to include terms like 'Oberlippe' and 'Unterlippe'. You can also use the word to describe more nuanced emotions or reactions in conversations and written texts. For example, you might write about a character who 'die Lippen zusammenpresste' (pressed their lips together) to show anger or determination.

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At the B2 level, 'Lippe' appears in more sophisticated literary and journalistic contexts. You will understand metaphorical uses, such as 'Lippenbekenntnis' (lip service/empty promise). You should be able to discuss topics like cosmetic surgery ('Lippen aufspritzen' - to get lip fillers) or the phonetics of German speech ('Labiallaute'). You will encounter the word in more complex idioms like 'eine dicke Lippe riskieren' (to be cheeky/talk big). At this level, you are expected to understand the nuances between 'Lippe' and its synonyms like 'Schnute' or 'Mund' and use them appropriately in different social registers. You can also analyze how the word is used in poetry or classical German literature to convey beauty or silence.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'Lippe' includes its use in specialized fields and its deepest idiomatic layers. You might encounter the word in medical texts describing 'Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumenspalte' (cleft lip and palate) or in technical manuals referring to 'Dichtungslippen' (sealing lips) in engineering. You understand the historical etymology of the word and its relationship to other Germanic languages. In literature, you recognize the symbolic weight of lips in themes of eroticism, secrecy, or mortality. You can use the word with absolute precision in all four cases and in complex grammatical structures. You are also aware of regional dialects and how terms like 'Gusche' or 'Lefze' relate to 'Lippe' in different parts of the German-speaking world.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of 'Lippe'. You can appreciate and use the word in high-level academic discussions, complex legal or medical documents, and the most avant-garde literature. You understand the subtle connotations of the word in various historical periods of German literature, from the Minnesang to modern poetry. You can effortlessly switch between registers, using 'Lippe' in a formal speech and 'Schnute' or 'Gusche' in a casual, dialect-rich conversation without hesitation. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and can play with the language, creating puns or sophisticated metaphors involving 'Lippen'. Your mastery extends to the finest details of pronunciation and the cultural nuances associated with the word across all German-speaking countries.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

Lippe en 30 segundos

Lippe means 'lip' in English and is a feminine noun (die Lippe).
It is used for physical descriptions, cosmetics (Lippenstift), and health (Lippenherpes).
Common idioms include 'an den Lippen hängen' (listening intently).
Plural form is 'Lippen', and it is essential for German pronunciation.

The German word die Lippe (plural: die Lippen) is a fundamental anatomical term that translates directly to 'lip' in English. At its most basic level, it refers to the two fleshy folds that surround the opening of the mouth in humans and many animals. However, in the German language, the word carries a wealth of sensory, emotional, and linguistic weight that extends far beyond a simple biological label. For an A1 learner, the primary focus is identifying the body part, but as one progresses, the word 'Lippe' becomes a gateway to understanding human expression, cosmetic culture, and idiomatic German.

Anatomical Precision: In medical or descriptive contexts, German distinguishes clearly between the Oberlippe (upper lip) and the Unterlippe (lower lip). This precision is vital in healthcare and portraiture.

Sie hat sich die Lippe beim Essen gebissen.

Beyond biology, 'Lippe' is central to the world of beauty and cosmetics. The term Lippenstift (lipstick) is one of the first compound words learners encounter. In Germany, as in many cultures, the lips are seen as a focal point of facial aesthetics. You will hear this word in drugstores (Drogerien) like DM or Rossmann when customers look for Lippenpflege (lip care) or Lippenbalsam (lip balm), especially during the cold German winters when 'spröde Lippen' (chapped lips) are a common complaint. Emotionally, 'Lippe' is used to describe non-verbal communication. A 'zitternde Lippe' (trembling lip) indicates sadness or the verge of tears, while 'geschürzte Lippen' (pursed lips) might signal disapproval or deep concentration. In phonetic terms, the lips are essential for 'Labiallaute' (labial sounds) like /p/, /b/, and /m/. When learning German pronunciation, particularly the rounded vowels like /ü/ and /ö/, your teacher will often refer to the 'Lippenstellung' (position of the lips).

Metaphorical Use: The term is also used in geography and engineering to describe lip-like edges or rims, such as the 'Dichtungslippe' (sealing lip) in mechanical seals.

Er brachte kein Wort über die Lippen.

This phrase, meaning 'he couldn't get a word out,' highlights how the lips are viewed as the physical gatekeepers of speech. In social settings, the word appears in idioms like 'eine dicke Lippe riskieren' (to talk big or be cocky), showing its versatility from high-fashion contexts to gritty slang. Whether you are at the doctor, the makeup counter, or a linguistic workshop, 'die Lippe' is an indispensable part of your German vocabulary.

Using Lippe correctly requires an understanding of its gender (feminine) and its plural form (Lippen). In the nominative case, we say 'Die Lippe ist rot.' In the accusative, which is common when describing actions, it remains 'die Lippe,' as in 'Ich beiße mir auf die Lippe' (I bite my lip). Note the use of the dative reflexive 'mir' here; Germans often use reflexive pronouns when referring to their own body parts.

Common Verbs: Verbs frequently paired with Lippe include bewegen (to move), befeuchten (to moisten), schminken (to put makeup on), and spitzen (to purse/pout).

Sie befeuchtete ihre trockenen Lippen mit der Zunge.

When describing people, adjectives play a huge role. You might describe someone as having 'volle Lippen' (full lips) or 'schmale Lippen' (thin lips). In a romantic context, 'weiche Lippen' (soft lips) is a common descriptor. In medical contexts, 'blaue Lippen' (blue lips) is a critical symptom of oxygen deprivation. The word is also central to many compound nouns. Lippenstift (lipstick) is used with the verb 'auftragen' (to apply). Lippenlesen (lip-reading) is a skill used by the hearing impaired. In the sentence 'Er liest ihr den Wunsch von den Lippen ab' (He reads her wish from her lips), we see a beautiful idiomatic usage meaning to anticipate someone's every desire.

Prepositional Phrases: Common phrases include auf den Lippen (on the lips) and über die Lippen (over the lips). Example: 'Ein Lächeln lag auf ihren Lippen.'

Die Worte kamen ihm nur schwer über die Lippen.

In professional settings, such as a dentist's office, you might hear 'Entspannen Sie bitte Ihre Lippen' (Please relax your lips). In a makeup tutorial, 'Umranden Sie die Lippen mit einem Konturenstift' (Outline the lips with a liner). The word is versatile, moving seamlessly from physical descriptions to deep metaphorical expressions of speech and emotion.

The word Lippe is ubiquitous in German daily life, appearing in diverse environments from the mundane to the artistic. One of the most common places to hear it is in the health and beauty sector. If you walk into a Drogerie like DM, you will see entire aisles dedicated to 'Lippenpflege'. Sales assistants might ask if you are looking for something for 'trockene Lippen' or a specific 'Lippenstiftfarbe'. In high-end fashion magazines like Vogue Deutsch, articles frequently discuss 'Lippen-Trends' and techniques for 'perfekt geschminkte Lippen'.

Medical Contexts: At the doctor's office or 'Zahnarzt' (dentist), the word is functional. 'Machen Sie die Lippen locker' (Make your lips loose) or 'Haben Sie Bläschen an der Lippe?' (Do you have blisters on your lip?)—referring to 'Lippenherpes' (cold sores).

Der Arzt untersuchte die Schwellung an seiner Unterlippe.

In the realm of literature and music, 'Lippe' is a romanticized term. German 'Schlager' music and classic poetry often mention 'rote Lippen' as a symbol of desire or 'stille Lippen' (silent lips) to denote secrecy or sadness. You might hear the famous song lyric 'Rote Lippen soll man küssen' (Red lips are for kissing). In crime dramas (Krimis), a detective might say 'Er hat keine einzige Silbe über die Lippen gebracht' (He didn't let a single syllable cross his lips), emphasizing a suspect's silence. In sports, especially contact sports like soccer (Fußball) or boxing, commentators might mention a 'geplatzte Lippe' (burst/split lip) after a collision. In schools, teachers might tell children 'Lippen zu!' (Lips closed!) to ask for silence, though this is quite informal.

News & Media: In news reports about protests or political negotiations, you might hear that someone 'an jemandes Lippen hing' (hung on someone's every word), describing a captivated audience.

Alle hingen gebannt an den Lippen des Redners.

Finally, in the world of parenting, mothers often tell their children 'Vorsicht, heiße Suppe! Verbrenn dir nicht die Lippen!' (Careful, hot soup! Don't burn your lips!). From the intimacy of a kiss to the technicality of a dental exam, 'Lippe' is a word you will encounter daily in Germany.

For English speakers learning German, the word Lippe seems straightforward because of the 'lip' cognate, but several pitfalls exist. The first and most common mistake is the gender. In English, body parts are neutral ('the lip'), but in German, 'Lippe' is feminine: die Lippe. Beginners often mistakenly say 'das Lippe' or 'der Lippe'. This error cascades into adjective endings—it's 'eine rote Lippe', not 'ein rotes Lippe'.

Plural Confusion: The plural is Lippen. Learners sometimes forget the 'n' or try to pluralize it like English 'lips' by adding an 's' (Lippes), which is incorrect in German.

Falsch: Ich habe zwei Lippes. Richtig: Ich habe zwei Lippen.

Another common error is the confusion with similar-sounding words. 'Liebe' (love) and 'Lippe' (lip) sound somewhat similar to the untrained ear, leading to humorous misunderstandings. Furthermore, 'Lappen' (rag/cloth) is just a few letters away but means something entirely different. Using 'Lappen' when you mean 'Lippe' can make a sentence about facial care sound like you're cleaning the floor. Idiomatic usage is another area of frequent mistakes. The English idiom 'to pay lip service' does not translate literally using the word 'Lippe'. In German, you would use 'Lippenbekenntnis'. Translating 'keep your upper lip stiff' literally into German would also be met with confusion; Germans use different metaphors for bravery.

Reflexive Pronouns: When saying 'I bite my lip', English uses the possessive 'my'. German uses the reflexive: 'Ich beiße mir auf die Lippe'. Using 'meine Lippe' here isn't grammatically 'wrong' but sounds very unnatural to native speakers.

Unnatürlich: Ich putze meine Lippen. Natürlich: Ich putze mir die Lippen.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'Lippe' in geographical contexts. There is a river and a region in Germany called 'Lippe'. If you're in North Rhine-Westphalia, 'die Lippe' might refer to the river, and 'Lippe' (without the article) might refer to the district. Context is key to avoiding these common learner blunders.

While Lippe is the standard term, German offers several synonyms and related terms depending on the register and context. The most common alternative is Mund (mouth). While 'Lippe' is specific, 'Mund' is often used more broadly. For example, 'Halt den Mund!' (Shut your mouth!) is more common than anything involving 'Lippen'.

Lippe vs. Mund: Use Lippe for physical descriptions or cosmetics. Use Mund for the act of speaking, eating, or general facial anatomy.

Sie hat einen kleinen Mund, aber volle Lippen.

In informal or dialect-heavy German, you might encounter Schnute. To 'eine Schnute ziehen' means to pout. This is often used with children or in a playful, teasing way. Another colloquial term, particularly in Northern Germany, is Gusche or Gosche (more Southern), though these are closer to 'trap' or 'gob' and can be slightly rude. In anatomy and biology, the Latin-derived term Labium is used, particularly in medical reports or when discussing the 'Schamlippen' (labia). For animals, specifically horses or dogs, the term Lefze is used instead of 'Lippe'. If you call a person's lips 'Lefzen', it is highly insulting, implying they have animal-like features.

Verbal Alternatives: Instead of 'über die Lippen bringen' (to utter), you can use aussprechen (to pronounce/utter) or sagen (to say).

Der Hund leckte sich die Lefzen, als er das Fleisch sah.

When discussing the edge of an object, synonyms like Rand (edge) or Kante (rim) are often better than 'Lippe'. For example, the 'Rand eines Glases' (rim of a glass) is standard, whereas 'die Lippe eines Glases' would sound like a direct translation from English that doesn't quite fit in German. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right situation, ensuring your German sounds natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'Lippe' is also the name of a river in Germany, which gave its name to the Land Lippe, a former state of the Holy Roman Empire.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈlɪpə/

US /ˈlɪpə/

Stress is on the first syllable: LIP-pe.

Rima con

Schippe Klippe Grippe Wippe Rippe Sippe Kippe Gerippe

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'ee' (Lipp-ee instead of Lipp-uh).
Making the 'i' too long (Lee-puh), which sounds like 'Liebe'.
Omitting the final 'e' entirely (Lipp).
Aspirating the 'p' too much.
Confusing the 'L' with a dark English 'L'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to English cognate 'lip'.

Escritura 2/5

Easy, but remember the double 'p' and final 'e'.

Expresión oral 2/5

The short 'i' and final schwa 'e' require some practice.

Escucha 1/5

Easy to hear in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

Mund Gesicht Kopf Rot Haut

Aprende después

Zunge Zahn Wange Kinn Lächeln

Avanzado

Artikulation Labiallaut Lippenbekenntnis Dichtungslippe Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumenspalte

Gramática que debes saber

Feminine Nouns

Die Lippe ist rot. (Feminine nouns take 'die' in the nominative).

Reflexive Body Parts

Ich beiße mir auf die Lippe. (Use dative reflexive 'mir' with body parts).

Plural N-Declension (General)

Die Lippen. (Most feminine nouns ending in -e add -n in the plural).

Compound Noun Gender

Der Lippenstift. (The gender of a compound noun is determined by the last word: der Stift).

Prepositions with Body Parts

Auf den Lippen. (Preposition 'auf' takes dative for location).

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Ejemplos por nivel

Meine Lippe tut weh.

My lip hurts.

Subject: die Lippe (nominative).

Sie hat rote Lippen.

She has red lips.

Plural: Lippen.

Wo ist mein Lippenstift?

Where is my lipstick?

Compound noun: Lippen + Stift.

Deine Lippen sind sehr trocken.

Your lips are very dry.

Adjective 'trocken' describes 'Lippen'.

Ich brauche Lippenpflege.

I need lip care.

Compound noun: Lippen + Pflege.

Er küsst sie auf die Lippen.

He kisses her on the lips.

Preposition 'auf' + accusative for movement.

Die Unterlippe ist dick.

The lower lip is swollen.

Compound: Unter + Lippe.

Lächle mit deinen Lippen!

Smile with your lips!

Dative plural: mit den Lippen.

Ich beiße mir oft auf die Lippe.

I often bite my lip.

Dative reflexive 'mir'.

Sie kann von den Lippen ablesen.

She can read lips.

Idiom: von den Lippen ablesen.

Er hat sich die Lippe verbrannt.

He burned his lip.

Reflexive: sich die Lippe verbrennen.

Ihre Lippen zitterten vor Angst.

Her lips trembled with fear.

Verb: zittern.

Die Creme ist gut für die Lippen.

The cream is good for the lips.

Preposition 'für' + accusative.

Er schürzte die Lippen.

He pursed his lips.

Verb: schürzen.

Hast du ein Bläschen an der Lippe?

Do you have a blister on your lip?

Preposition 'an' + dative (location).

Die Lippen sind das Tor zum Mund.

The lips are the gateway to the mouth.

Metaphorical usage.

Er brachte kein Wort über die Lippen.

He couldn't get a word out.

Idiom: etwas über die Lippen bringen.

Alle hingen an seinen Lippen.

Everyone hung on his every word.

Idiom: an jemandes Lippen hängen.

Sie befeuchtete ihre Lippen mit der Zunge.

She moistened her lips with her tongue.

Verb: befeuchten.

Die Oberlippe war leicht geschwollen.

The upper lip was slightly swollen.

Specific part: Oberlippe.

Ein sanftes Lächeln umspielte ihre Lippen.

A gentle smile played around her lips.

Literary verb: umspielen.

Er las ihr jeden Wunsch von den Lippen ab.

He anticipated her every wish.

Idiom: von den Lippen ablesen (figurative).

Lippenherpes ist sehr ansteckend.

Cold sores are very contagious.

Medical compound noun.

Sie presste die Lippen fest zusammen.

She pressed her lips tightly together.

Verb: zusammenpressen.

Das war nur ein Lippenbekenntnis.

That was just lip service.

Noun: Lippenbekenntnis.

Riskier hier keine dicke Lippe!

Don't get cheeky here!

Slang idiom: eine dicke Lippe riskieren.

Sie ließ sich die Lippen aufspritzen.

She had her lips filled.

Causative: sich etwas machen lassen.

Die Dichtungslippe der Waschmaschine ist kaputt.

The sealing lip of the washing machine is broken.

Technical usage.

Bei der Aussprache von 'u' sind die Lippen gerundet.

When pronouncing 'u', the lips are rounded.

Phonetic context.

Ein spöttischer Zug lag auf seinen Lippen.

A mocking expression lay on his lips.

Abstract description.

Die Kälte färbte ihre Lippen blau.

The cold turned her lips blue.

Causative verb usage.

Er kaute nervös auf seiner Unterlippe.

He chewed nervously on his lower lip.

Verb: kauen + auf.

Das Kind leidet an einer Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumenspalte.

The child suffers from a cleft lip and palate.

Medical terminology.

Die Worte entschlüpften ihren Lippen, bevor sie nachdenken konnte.

The words escaped her lips before she could think.

Verb: entschlüpfen.

In der Poesie werden Lippen oft mit Rosen verglichen.

In poetry, lips are often compared to roses.

Literary analysis.

Die Lippe ist ein empfindliches Sinnesorgan.

The lip is a sensitive sensory organ.

Scientific definition.

Er pfiff leise durch die geschlossenen Lippen.

He whistled softly through closed lips.

Preposition 'durch' + accusative.

Die Lippenform ist genetisch bedingt.

The shape of the lips is genetically determined.

Formal academic tone.

Sie versiegelte ihre Lippen und schwieg.

She sealed her lips and remained silent.

Metaphorical verb: versiegeln.

Die Schamlippen gehören zur weiblichen Anatomie.

The labia are part of the female anatomy.

Anatomical term.

Die subtile Mimik seiner Lippen verriet seinen inneren Zwiespalt.

The subtle movement of his lips betrayed his inner conflict.

High-level descriptive prose.

Goethe beschrieb die Lippen seiner Geliebten in glühenden Farben.

Goethe described his lover's lips in glowing colors.

Historical literary reference.

Die phonetische Realisierung der Labiallaute variiert dialektal.

The phonetic realization of labial sounds varies by dialect.

Linguistic jargon.

Es war ein bloßes Lippenbekenntnis ohne substanzielle Taten.

It was a mere lip service without substantial actions.

Political critique.

Die Erosion hatte eine scharfe Lippe am Rand des Plateaus geformt.

Erosion had formed a sharp lip at the edge of the plateau.

Geological metaphor.

Ihre Lippen formten lautlose Gebete.

Her lips formed silent prayers.

Evocative imagery.

Er beherrschte die Kunst des Lippenlesens zur Perfektion.

He mastered the art of lip-reading to perfection.

Complex noun phrase.

Die Lippen der Wunde klafften weit auseinander.

The edges of the wound gaped wide apart.

Surgical metaphor.

Colocaciones comunes

rote Lippen

trockene Lippen

volle Lippen

Lippen spitzen

Lippen befeuchten

Lippen zusammenpressen

auf die Lippe beißen

Lippen schminken

blaue Lippen

schmale Lippen

Frases Comunes

Lippen zu!

— Be quiet! (Informal)

Lippen zu und zuhören!

Vorsicht, heiße Lippe!

— Be careful, it's hot (usually food/drink).

Trink langsam, heiße Lippe!

Lippenpflege benutzen

— To use lip balm.

Du solltest Lippenpflege benutzen.

Die Lippen bewegen

— To move the lips (often while reading silently).

Er bewegt die Lippen beim Lesen.

Von den Lippen ablesen

— To read someone's lips.

Gehörlose können oft von den Lippen ablesen.

Lippenstift auftragen

— To apply lipstick.

Sie trägt gerade Lippenstift auf.

Zitternde Lippen

— Trembling lips (showing sadness).

Sie hatte zitternde Lippen.

Lippen locker lassen

— To relax the lips.

Lassen Sie beim Zahnarzt die Lippen locker.

Spröde Lippen

— Chapped/cracked lips.

Meine Lippen sind im Winter oft spröde.

Lippen umranden

— To outline the lips (makeup).

Zuerst die Lippen umranden, dann ausfüllen.

Se confunde a menudo con

Lippe vs Liebe

Sounds similar but has a long 'ie' [i:]. Lippe has a short 'i' [ɪ].

Lippe vs Lappen

Means 'rag' or 'cloth'. Only one letter difference but very different meaning.

Lippe vs Lupe

Means 'magnifying glass'. Similar vowel-consonant structure.

Modismos y expresiones

"An jemandes Lippen hängen"

— To listen very intently to someone.

Die Studenten hingen an den Lippen des Professors.

neutral

"Etwas über die Lippen bringen"

— To manage to say something (often difficult).

Er brachte die Entschuldigung nicht über die Lippen.

neutral

"Eine dicke Lippe riskieren"

— To be boastful, cheeky, or arrogant.

Riskier hier keine dicke Lippe, Kleiner!

informal

"Sich auf die Lippen beißen"

— To struggle to keep from laughing or speaking.

Ich musste mir auf die Lippen beißen, um nicht zu lachen.

neutral

"Jemandem den Wunsch von den Lippen ablesen"

— To anticipate someone's every wish.

Er liest ihr jeden Wunsch von den Lippen ab.

neutral

"Ein Lippenbekenntnis ablegen"

— To give lip service (insincere agreement).

Seine Versprechen waren nur ein Lippenbekenntnis.

formal

"Kein Wort über die Lippen kommen lassen"

— To remain completely silent.

Der Gefangene ließ kein Wort über die Lippen kommen.

neutral

"Ein Lächeln auf den Lippen haben"

— To be smiling.

Sie hatte immer ein Lächeln auf den Lippen.

literary

"Die Lippen versiegeln"

— To promise to keep a secret.

Meine Lippen sind versiegelt.

neutral

"Mit der Lippe spielen"

— To touch or bite one's lip absentmindedly.

Sie spielte nervös mit ihrer Unterlippe.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

Lippe vs Mund

Both refer to the mouth area.

Mund is the whole mouth; Lippe is specifically the fleshy edge.

Mach den Mund auf, aber die Lippen sind rot.

Lippe vs Lefze

Both mean 'lip'.

Lefze is only for animals; Lippe is for humans.

Der Hund hat Lefzen, der Mensch hat Lippen.

Lippe vs Schnute

Both refer to the lips.

Schnute is specifically for a pouting expression.

Zieh keine Schnute!

Lippe vs Rand

In English, 'lip' can mean the edge of a glass.

In German, use 'Rand' for objects, not 'Lippe'.

Der Rand des Glases ist sauber.

Lippe vs Kuss

Related actions.

Kuss is the kiss; Lippe is the part of the body used.

Ein Kuss auf die Lippen.

Patrones de oraciones

Meine [Body Part] ist [Adjective].

Meine Lippe ist trocken.

Ich habe [Adjective] Lippen.

Ich habe rote Lippen.

Er [Verb] sich auf die Lippen.

Er biss sich auf die Lippen.

Das ist ein [Noun].

Das ist ein Lippenbekenntnis.

Die Worte [Verb] über die Lippen.

Die Worte kamen ihm schwer über die Lippen.

Die [Noun] der Lippen [Verb].

Die Mimik der Lippen verriet ihn.

Wo ist der [Compound Noun]?

Wo ist der Lippenstift?

Sie [Verb] an seinen Lippen.

Sie hingen an seinen Lippen.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Lippenstift

Lippenpflege

Lippenlesen

Lippenherpes

Oberlippe

Unterlippe

Schamlippe

Dichtungslippe

Verbos

lippen (rare technical)

be lippen (obsolete)

Adjetivos

lippenförmig

lippenrot

Relacionado

Mund

Kuss

Sprechen

Lächeln

Gesicht

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in daily conversation, health, and beauty.

Errores comunes

das Lippe → die Lippe
Lippe is feminine, not neutral.
Lippes → Lippen
The plural of Lippe is Lippen, not Lippes.
Ich beiße meine Lippe. → Ich beiße mir auf die Lippe.
German uses reflexive pronouns and the preposition 'auf' for this action.
Lippen-Service → Lippenbekenntnis
You cannot translate 'lip service' literally; use the German term.
Halt deine Lippen! → Halt den Mund!
While 'Lippen' are part of the mouth, the idiom for 'be quiet' uses 'Mund'.

Consejos

Gender Memory

Think of 'die Lippe' being feminine because of lipstick, which is traditionally associated with women.

Compound Words

Learn 'Lippenstift' and 'Lippenpflege' together to see how 'Lippen-' acts as a prefix.

Short Vowel

Keep the 'i' short. If you stretch it, you are saying 'love' (Liebe) instead of 'lip'.

Listening Closely

The phrase 'an den Lippen hängen' is very common in news and storytelling. Use it to describe a great speaker.

Cold Sores

Don't be surprised to hear people talk openly about 'Lippenherpes'; it's a normal health topic in Germany.

Double Consonants

The double 'p' in Lippe is a signal that the preceding vowel 'i' is short. This is a common rule in German spelling.

Reflexives

When you talk about your own lip, use 'mir': 'Ich beiße mir auf die Lippe'. It sounds much more native.

Animal Lips

Avoid calling a person's lips 'Lefzen' unless you want to be very insulting.

Dative Plural

Since 'Lippen' already ends in 'n', you don't add another 'n' in the dative plural: 'mit den Lippen'.

Silent Lips

In literature, 'stille Lippen' often means someone is keeping a secret or has died. Context is key.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Lip' with an extra 'pe' at the end. Die Lippe (feminine like a lady's lipstick).

Asociación visual

Imagine a bright red 'Lippenstift' (lipstick) drawing the letter 'L' for Lippe.

Word Web

Mund Kuss Sprechen Lippenstift Zähne Zunge Lächeln Gesicht

Desafío

Try to say 'Rote Lippen soll man küssen' three times fast without making the 'i' too long.

Origen de la palabra

From Middle High German 'lippe', from Old High German 'lippa'. It is related to the English word 'lip'.

Significado original: The fleshy edge of the mouth.

Germanic.

Contexto cultural

Be careful using 'Lefze' (animal lip) for humans, as it is derogatory. 'Schamlippe' is a clinical term for labia.

The English idiom 'stiff upper lip' has no direct 'Lippe' equivalent in German; they might say 'Haltung bewahren'.

Rote Lippen soll man küssen (Song by Cliff Richard) Lippes Leselust (TV Show) The river Lippe in NRW

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

In a drugstore

Ich suche einen Lippenstift.
Haben Sie etwas gegen trockene Lippen?
Welche Lippenpflege ist am besten?
Gibt es diesen Lippenstift in Rot?

At the doctor

Meine Lippe ist geschwollen.
Ich habe Lippenherpes.
Die Lippe blutet.
Ich habe mir auf die Lippe gebissen.

Describing someone

Sie hat volle Lippen.
Er hat schmale Lippen.
Ihre Lippen sind rot geschminkt.
Seine Lippen zittern.

Idiomatic speech

Er hängt an ihren Lippen.
Das war nur ein Lippenbekenntnis.
Riskier keine dicke Lippe!
Er brachte kein Wort über die Lippen.

Makeup tutorial

Zuerst die Lippen umranden.
Den Lippenstift gleichmäßig auftragen.
Für mehr Glanz auf den Lippen.
Die Lippenform betonen.

Inicios de conversación

"Welche Farbe hat dein Lieblingslippenstift?"

"Was machst du im Winter gegen trockene Lippen?"

"Kannst du von den Lippen ablesen, wenn es laut ist?"

"Hast du dir schon mal auf die Lippe gebissen beim Essen?"

"Glaubst du, dass man an den Lippen den Charakter eines Menschen erkennen kann?"

Temas para diario

Beschreibe das Gesicht einer Person, die du gut kennst. Achte besonders auf die Form der Lippen.

Was bedeutet die Redewendung 'an jemandes Lippen hängen' für dich? Hast du das schon mal erlebt?

Schreibe über einen Moment, in dem dir ein Wort nicht über die Lippen kommen wollte.

Wie wichtig ist Lippenpflege in deiner täglichen Routine?

Denke an ein Versprechen, das nur ein Lippenbekenntnis war. Wie hast du dich dabei gefühlt?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

The word 'Lippe' is feminine. You always say 'die Lippe'.

The plural is 'die Lippen'. You just add an 'n'.

Lipstick is 'der Lippenstift'. It is a compound of 'Lippen' and 'Stift' (pen/stick).

No, in German you should use 'der Rand'. 'Lippe' is almost always anatomical.

It means to listen very carefully and with great interest to someone speaking.

You say 'spröde Lippen' or 'trockene Lippen'.

Yes, they are cognates, meaning they share the same linguistic origin.

'Lippe' is the specific fleshy part (the lip), while 'Mund' is the entire mouth including teeth and tongue.

It's a 'lip service'—when someone says they agree or will do something but doesn't actually mean it.

It's a short, neutral sound like the 'a' in 'about'. It's called a schwa.

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