die Schnauze
snout
The front part of the head in certain animals, consisting of the nose and mouth.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund stupste mich mit seiner feuchten Schnauze an.
The dog nudged me with its wet snout.
die Schnauze
snout / mouth
die Schnauze, die Schnauzen
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Meanings
die Schnauze voll haben
to be fed up
A colloquial expression used to say that you have had enough of something or someone and are annoyed or frustrated.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Schnauze voll von dem ständigen Lärm.
I'm fed up with the constant noise.
die Schnauze
mouth
A crude, colloquial term for the human mouth. It is often used as an impolite command to be quiet.
EXAMPLE
Halt endlich deine Schnauze, ich kann mich nicht konzentrieren!
Shut your mouth already, I can't concentrate!
die Schnauze
nose / front
The very front part of a vehicle, especially a car, truck, or airplane.
EXAMPLE
Der Oldtimer hatte eine lange, elegant geschwungene Schnauze.
The vintage car had a long, elegantly curved nose.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schnauze, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schnauzen |
| genitive | der Schnauze |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Schnauze | die Schnauzen |
| accusative | die Schnauze | die Schnauzen |
| dative | der Schnauze | den Schnauzen |
| genitive | der Schnauze | der Schnauzen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Register and style
Careful: usage is highly dependent on context! Only the meaning 'Tiermaul' (animal muzzle/snout) is neutral. All other meanings are colloquial, and using it for the human mouth is very rude.
EXAMPLE
Der Tierarzt untersuchte die Schnauze des Bären.
The veterinarian examined the bear's snout.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Schnauze' (snout/mouth) becomes clear from the subject or object. With animals, it means the muzzle or snout; with vehicles, the front; and with people, it is a colloquial or insulting expression.
EXAMPLE
Die lange Schnauze des Rennwagens verbessert die Aerodynamik.
The long nose of the race car improves the aerodynamics.
Typical animals
The word 'Schnauze' (snout) is used for the mouth-and-nose area of many mammals, especially dogs, foxes, bears, or pigs.
EXAMPLE
Der Fuchs steckte seine neugierige Schnauze aus dem Gebüsch.
The fox stuck its curious snout out of the bushes.
Fixed expression
The expression 'die Schnauze voll haben' (to be fed up) is a fixed unit. It is often used with the preposition 'von' and the dative to express what you have had enough of.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Schnauze voll von deinen ständigen Ausreden.
I'm fed up with your constant excuses.
Rude command
The command 'Halt die Schnauze!' (shut your mouth!) is a very direct and rude way to tell someone to be quiet. It should only be used in very informal or emotional situations.
EXAMPLE
Sei still! Halt einfach die Schnauze!
Be quiet! Just shut your mouth!
Compare with
Schnauze vs Mund
mouth
Mund and Schnauze can occur in a command to be quiet. Den Mund halten is the more neutral expression, while die Schnauze is clearly cruder and often sounds aggressive. Mund fits a more polite or matter-of-fact command; Schnauze can be used in a coarse remark.
Schnauze
Halt die Schnauze, während ich den Bericht vorlese.
Shut your mouth while I read the report aloud.
Mund
Bitte halt den Mund, während ich den Bericht vorlese.
Please be quiet while I read the report aloud.
In real life
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