01
beißen
bite
To cut into something with the teeth, bite through it, or bite off a piece of it.
example
Der Hund hat den Postboten ins Bein gebissen.
The dog bit the mailman in the leg.
beißen
to bite
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Biss' (bite, e.g. a mosquito bite) and the adjective 'bissig' (snappy, biting; a dog that tends to bite) are derived from the verb 'beißen' (to bite).
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, der Hund ist bissig!
Careful, the dog bites!
Context clue
You can often recognize the literal and figurative meanings from the subject. Living beings with teeth 'beißen' literally (meaning 1), while things like smoke, cold, or spicy food 'beißen' in a figurative sense (meaning 2).
EXAMPLE
Der Rauch beißt mir in den Augen.
The smoke stings my eyes.
Sentence structure with body parts
If you want to specify where someone is bitten, use the structure 'jemanden in + accusative beißen' (to bite someone in + body part).
EXAMPLE
Eine Wespe hat mich in den Arm gebissen.
A wasp bit me in the arm.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich beißen' (to clash) is used almost exclusively for colors, patterns, or also styles that do not harmonize or do not go well together.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde, das Rosa und das Rot beißen sich.
I think the pink and the red clash.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'auf die Zähne beißen' (to grit one's teeth) is a fixed unit. It means that you endure pain or difficulties without complaining.
EXAMPLE
Die Prüfung war hart, aber ich habe auf die Zähne gebissen und weitergemacht.
The exam was tough, but I gritted my teeth and kept going.
Sentence structure with preposition
The expression 'sich an etwas festbeißen' (to dig into something) is used with the preposition 'an' and the dative. It means that you deal with a topic very intensively and persistently.
EXAMPLE
Der Detektiv hat sich an diesem Fall richtig festgebissen.
The detective really dug into this case.
Colloquial style
The idiom 'ins Gras beißen' (to bite the dust) is very colloquial and informal for 'sterben' (to die). You should only use it in informal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Im Computerspiel beißt dein Charakter ins Gras, wenn er keine Lebenspunkte mehr hat.
In the computer game, your character bites the dust when they have no health points left.
Compare with
beißen vs sterben
to die
'sterben' and 'ins Gras beißen' can both mean that someone dies. 'sterben' is neutral and suitable in most situations. 'ins Gras beißen' (to bite the dust) is a colloquial and casual idiom with 'beißen'. It often sounds harsh, joking, or like something from an action movie. You should not use it when speaking with relatives of the deceased or when you want to be respectful. For serious situations, 'sterben' is the better choice.
beißen
Im Computerspiel beißt Greta schon nach zwei Minuten ins Gras.
In the computer game, Greta bites the dust after just two minutes.
sterben
Viele Fische sterben, wenn zu wenig Sauerstoff im Wasser ist.
Many fish die when there is too little oxygen in the water.
In real life
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