yawning
das Gähnen
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yawning
The usually involuntary opening of the mouth wide while taking a deep breath, especially when tired or bored.
Nach der kurzen Nacht konnte sie das Gähnen während der Besprechung kaum unterdrücken.
After the short night, she could barely suppress her yawning during the meeting.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Gähnens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Gähnen | – |
| accusative | das Gähnen | – |
| dative | dem Gähnen | – |
| genitive | des Gähnens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
“Gähnen” is the capitalized infinitive of the verb “gähnen” (to yawn) and refers to the process when used as a noun. It is used with the definite article (“das Gähnen”), but also often with the indefinite article, as in “ein Gähnen unterdrücken” (to suppress a yawn).
Er versuchte, ein Gähnen zu unterdrücken.
He tried to suppress a yawn.
Common collocations include “ein Gähnen unterdrücken” (to suppress a yawn), “ein Gähnen nicht verbergen können” (to be unable to hide a yawn), and “ein Gähnen bemerken” (to notice a yawn). These expressions show that yawning is often described as a visible reaction.
Die Lehrerin bemerkte sofort sein Gähnen.
The teacher immediately noticed him yawning.
In the fixed expression “zum Gähnen langweilig” (boring enough to make you yawn), “Gähnen” is used figuratively. It describes a situation as extremely boring.
Der lange Vortrag war zum Gähnen langweilig.
The long lecture was boring enough to make you yawn.
