die Stirn
forehead
The part of the face located above the eyebrows and below the hairline.
EXAMPLE
Er wischte sich mit dem Handrücken den Schweiß von der Stirn.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
die Stirn
forehead
die Stirn, die Stirnen
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Meanings
jemandem/etwas die Stirn bieten
to stand up to
To confront someone or something bravely and decisively; to offer resistance.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Firma konnte der übermächtigen Konkurrenz lange die Stirn bieten.
The small company was able to stand up to the overpowering competition for a long time.
die Stirn runzeln
to furrow one's brow
To wrinkle the skin on the forehead, usually as an expression of thought, concentration, skepticism, or displeasure.
EXAMPLE
Der Professor runzelte die Stirn, als er die ungewöhnliche Frage hörte.
The professor furrowed his brow when he heard the unusual question.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Stirn, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Stirnen |
| genitive | der Stirn |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Stirn | die Stirnen |
| accusative | die Stirn | die Stirnen |
| dative | der Stirn | den Stirnen |
| genitive | der Stirn | der Stirnen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Fixed expression with dative
The idiom 'jemandem/etwas die Stirn bieten' (to stand up to someone/something) is a fixed construction. The person or thing being resisted is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ihrem Chef mutig die Stirn geboten.
She bravely stood up to her boss.
Fixed expression
'Die Stirn runzeln' (to furrow one's brow) is a fixed combination of the verb 'runzeln' (to wrinkle/furrow) and the accusative object 'die Stirn' (the forehead). It expresses thought, skepticism, or concern.
EXAMPLE
Er runzelte die Stirn und las die E-Mail noch einmal.
He furrowed his brow and read the email again.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'Stirn' is often combined with actions. Typical phrases are 'sich den Schweiß von der Stirn wischen' (to wipe the sweat from one's forehead) or 'die Stirn in Falten legen' (to wrinkle/furrow one's brow).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Lauf wischte er sich den Schweiß von der Stirn.
After the long run, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
In real life
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