das Mundwerk
mouth
Colloquial and often mocking: the mouth as the organ of speech, especially when someone talks a lot, loudly, or rudely.
EXAMPLE
Sein Mundwerk stand den ganzen Abend nicht still.
His mouth didn't stop all evening.
das Mundwerk
mouth
das Mundwerk, die Mundwerke
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Meanings
ein loses Mundwerk haben
to have a smart mouth
Colloquial: to speak rudely and without much consideration for others.
EXAMPLE
Du hast ein loses Mundwerk, wenn du so mit deiner Chefin sprichst.
You have a smart mouth if you talk to your boss like that.
das Mundwerk am rechten Fleck haben
to have a way with words
Colloquial: to be able to speak skillfully and quickly, and to know how to defend oneself with words.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat das Mundwerk am rechten Fleck und lässt keine freche Bemerkung unbeantwortet.
She has a way with words and never leaves a rude remark unanswered.
das Mundwerk nicht halten können
to be unable to keep one's mouth shut
Colloquial: to be unable to keep quiet even when it would be appropriate or expected.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl wir Stillschweigen vereinbart hatten, konnte er sein Mundwerk nicht halten und verriet unseren Plan.
Although we had agreed to keep quiet, he couldn't keep his mouth shut and revealed our plan.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Mundwerk, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Mundwerke |
| genitive | des Mundwerkes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Mundwerk | die Mundwerke |
| accusative | das Mundwerk | die Mundwerke |
| dative | dem Mundwerk | den Mundwerken |
| genitive | des Mundwerkes des Mundwerks | der Mundwerke |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Mundwerk' (mouth) is made up of 'Mund' (mouth) and 'Werk' (work). The word presents the mouth as a kind of tool or 'apparatus' for speaking.
EXAMPLE
Sein Mundwerk brachte ihn schon mehrmals in Schwierigkeiten.
His mouth has already gotten him into trouble several times.
Typical expression
For the meaning of talking a lot or continuously, the fixed expression 'das Mundwerk steht nicht still' (one's mouth does not stop) is particularly typical. The subject is 'das Mundwerk' (one's mouth), often with a possessive determiner, as in 'ihr Mundwerk' (her mouth).
EXAMPLE
Beim Abendessen stand ihr Mundwerk keine Minute still.
Her mouth didn't stop for a minute during dinner.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ein loses Mundwerk haben' (to have a smart mouth) is usually used as a reproach. It is used with 'haben' (to have), and a person is the subject.
EXAMPLE
Er hat ein loses Mundwerk und beleidigt damit oft andere Leute.
He has a smart mouth and often insults other people with it.
Idiom
'Das Mundwerk am rechten Fleck haben' (to have a way with words) is a fixed expression used with 'haben' (to have). It is often used approvingly when someone responds quickly and appropriately in a difficult situation.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Sprecherin hat das Mundwerk am rechten Fleck und hatte in der Diskussion auf jede Frage sofort eine passende Antwort.
Our spokesperson has a way with words and immediately had a suitable answer to every question in the discussion.
Fixed construction
In 'sein Mundwerk nicht halten können' (to be unable to keep one's mouth shut), 'können' (can/be able to) functions as a modal verb; 'sein Mundwerk' (one's mouth) is the accusative object. The expression is often used when someone reveals a secret or some information.
EXAMPLE
Er konnte sein Mundwerk wieder einmal nicht halten und erzählte alles weiter.
Once again, he couldn't keep his mouth shut and told everyone everything.
In real life
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