die Schläfe
temple
The area on the side of the head between the forehead, eye, and ear.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Sitzen vor dem Bildschirm schmerzte mir die Schläfe.
After sitting in front of the screen for a long time, my temple started to hurt.
die Schläfe
temple
die Schläfe, die Schläfen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schläfe, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schläfen |
| genitive | der Schläfe |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Schläfe | die Schläfen |
| accusative | die Schläfe | die Schläfen |
| dative | der Schläfe | den Schläfen |
| genitive | der Schläfe | der Schläfen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Describing pain
When describing discomfort, 'Schläfe' (temple) often appears with information about the location and type of pain. Typical patterns include 'Schmerzen in der Schläfe' (pain in the temple), 'ein Druck an der Schläfe' (pressure in the temple), and 'ein pochender Schmerz in der Schläfe' (a throbbing pain in the temple).
EXAMPLE
Seit heute Morgen spüre ich einen starken Druck an der Schläfe.
I've felt strong pressure in my temple since this morning.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich an die Schläfe fassen' (to put one's hand to one's temple) describes a typical gesture, often in response to pain, worry, or exhaustion. After 'an', the accusative is used here because the hand is moved toward the temple.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der heftigen Kopfschmerzen fasste sie sich an die Schläfe.
Because of the severe headache, she put her hand to her temple.
Physical context
'Schläfe' (temple) is especially often used with verbs and adjectives that describe physical sensations, such as 'pochen' (to throb), 'schmerzen' (to hurt), or 'empfindlich sein' (to be sensitive). The word is common both in everyday conversations and in medical descriptions.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Untersuchung war die Schläfe noch einige Stunden empfindlich.
After the examination, her temple was still sensitive for several hours.
In real life
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