die Kinnlade
jaw
The lower jaw, meaning the movable bone in the face below the mouth.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz tat ihm die Kinnlade beim Kauen weh.
His jaw hurt when he chewed after the fall.
die Kinnlade
jaw
die Kinnlade, die Kinnladen
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Meanings
jemandem klappt die Kinnlade herunter
someone's jaw drops
A fixed colloquial expression meaning that someone is very surprised or speechless.
EXAMPLE
Als sie den Preis des Hauses hörte, klappte ihr die Kinnlade herunter.
When she heard the price of the house, her jaw dropped.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kinnlade, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kinnladen |
| genitive | der Kinnlade |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Kinnlade | die Kinnladen |
| accusative | die Kinnlade | die Kinnladen |
| dative | der Kinnlade | den Kinnladen |
| genitive | der Kinnlade | der Kinnladen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
For the physical meaning, „Kinnlade“ (jaw) frequently occurs with verbs such as „bewegen“ (to move), „brechen“ (to break), or „ausrenken“ (to dislocate). Problems with chewing or speaking are also often associated with the jaw.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall konnte er die Kinnlade kaum bewegen.
After the accident, he could barely move his jaw.
Dative construction
In the fixed expression, the surprised person is in the dative, while „die Kinnlade“ (the jaw) is the subject. The pattern is: Jemandem klappt die Kinnlade herunter (someone's jaw drops).
EXAMPLE
Dem Lehrer klappte die Kinnlade herunter, als die ganze Klasse plötzlich applaudierte.
The teacher's jaw dropped when the whole class suddenly applauded.
Fixed expression
In this expression, „Kinnlade“ (jaw) typically occurs with „klappen“ (to snap/drop) and „herunter“ (down). In a main clause, the separable verb is split; in a subordinate clause, it stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er starrte auf den Kontostand, weil ihm die Kinnlade herunterklappte.
He stared at the account balance because his jaw dropped.
Bei der überraschenden Nachricht klappte ihr die Kinnlade herunter.
Her jaw dropped at the surprising news.
In real life
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