corner of the mouth
der Mundwinkel, die Mundwinkel
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corner of the mouth
The side corner of the mouth where the upper and lower lips meet.
Als sie die gute Nachricht hörte, zogen sich ihre Mundwinkel zu einem Lächeln nach oben.
When she heard the good news, the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Mundwinkel |
| genitive | des Mundwinkels |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Mundwinkel | die Mundwinkel |
| accusative | den Mundwinkel | die Mundwinkel |
| dative | dem Mundwinkel | den Mundwinkeln |
| genitive | des Mundwinkels | der Mundwinkel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is a simple compound of 'der Mund' (the mouth) and 'der Winkel' (corner, angle). So it literally describes the corner of the mouth.
Er hatte nach dem Essen noch einen Krümel am Mundwinkel.
After eating, he still had a crumb at the corner of his mouth.
'Mundwinkel' (corner of the mouth) is very often used to express feelings. When the corners of the mouth 'nach oben ziehen' (turn upward), someone is smiling. When they 'nach unten hängen' (hang down) or 'nach unten zeigen' (point downward), someone is sad or unhappy.
Als er das Kompliment hörte, zogen sich seine Mundwinkel nach oben.
When he heard the compliment, the corners of his mouth turned upward.
Bei der schlechten Nachricht ließen alle die Mundwinkel hängen.
At the bad news, everyone's faces fell.
A common and somewhat poetic expression is 'ein Lächeln umspielt die Mundwinkel' (a smile plays around the corners of the mouth). This describes a slight, often unconscious smile.
Ein zufriedenes Lächeln umspielte ihre Mundwinkel, als sie das Bild betrachtete.
A satisfied smile played around the corners of her mouth as she looked at the picture.
