der Unterkiefer
lower jaw
The lower, movable part of the jaw in vertebrates, which carries the lower teeth.
EXAMPLE
Beim Kauen bewegt sich der Unterkiefer auf und ab.
When chewing, the lower jaw moves up and down.
der Unterkiefer
lower jaw
der Unterkiefer, die Unterkiefer
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Unterkiefer, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unterkiefer |
| genitive | des Unterkiefers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Unterkiefer | die Unterkiefer |
| accusative | den Unterkiefer | die Unterkiefer |
| dative | dem Unterkiefer | den Unterkiefern |
| genitive | des Unterkiefers | der Unterkiefer |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is a compound of the adverb 'unter' (under/lower) and the noun 'der Kiefer' (the jaw). The meaning is therefore literal and easy to understand: the lower part of the jaw.
EXAMPLE
Der Zahnarzt untersuchte den Unterkiefer des Patienten.
The dentist examined the patient's lower jaw.
Productive word element
The prefix 'Unter-' (lower) is often used in anatomy to refer to the lower part of a body part. Other examples of this pattern are 'der Unterarm' (the forearm), 'der Unterschenkel' (the lower leg), or 'die Unterlippe' (the lower lip).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich beim Sport den Unterarm gebrochen.
He broke his forearm while playing sports.
Register: technical language
'Unterkiefer' (lower jaw) is the correct term in medicine and biology. In everyday language, people might simply say 'Kiefer' (jaw) if the context is clear.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz schmerzte sein ganzer Unterkiefer.
After the fall, his whole lower jaw hurt.
In real life
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