01
die Wange
cheek
The area of the face beside the nose and below the eye.
example
Das kleine Kind hatte ganz rote Wangen von der Kälte.
The little child had very red cheeks from the cold.
die Wange
cheek
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
Whether 'Wange' (cheek) refers to the cheek on the face or the side part of an object becomes clear from the context. If it is about people, body parts, or feelings (e.g., turning red), the face is meant. If it is about technology, architecture, or tools, the side part is meant.
EXAMPLE
Sie gab ihm einen Kuss auf die Wange.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Typical collocations
In connection with the face, 'Wange' (cheek) is often linked to certain situations. Typical phrases are: 'rote Wangen bekommen' (to get red cheeks), 'jemandem über die Wange streichen' (to stroke someone’s cheek), or 'Tränen laufen die Wangen herunter' (tears run down the cheeks).
EXAMPLE
Als sie das Kompliment hörte, bekam sie rote Wangen.
When she heard the compliment, her cheeks turned red.
Register: Technical language
The meaning 'Seitenteil' (side piece) is used almost exclusively in technical language, for example in crafts, engineering, or architecture. A typical example is the 'Treppenwange' (stair stringer), the side structural element of a staircase.
EXAMPLE
Der Tischler montierte die Stufen zwischen den beiden Wangen der Treppe.
The carpenter mounted the steps between the two side pieces of the staircase.
Compare with
Wange vs Backe
cheek / buttock
'die Wange' and 'die Backe' can both mean the side part of the face. 'Wange' sounds a bit more neutral or precise, for example when describing the face or talking about pain. 'Backe' is very common in everyday language and often means the soft, fleshy part; you hear it especially often in the plural, 'Backen'. Learners may confuse the words because they refer to almost the same area of the face. As a practical rule: for a neutral description, 'Wange' works very well; in casual everyday speech, 'Backe' or 'Backen' often sounds natural.
Wange
Nach dem Zahnarzttermin war meine linke Wange noch ganz taub.
After the dentist appointment, my left cheek was still completely numb.
Backe
Das Kind hatte rote Backen, weil es lange draußen gespielt hatte.
The child had red cheeks because they had been playing outside for a long time.
In real life
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