die Zitze
teat
An elongated projection on the mammary gland of a mammal from which its young drink milk while suckling.
EXAMPLE
Das Ferkel saugt an einer Zitze der Sau.
The piglet is suckling from one of the sow's teats.
die Zitze
teat / nipple
die Zitze, die Zitzen
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Meanings
die Zitze
nipple
A crude, usually derogatory term for a woman's breast.
EXAMPLE
Er machte eine widerliche Bemerkung über ihre „Zitzen“.
He made a disgusting remark about her “nipples”.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Zitze, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Zitzen |
| genitive | der Zitze |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Zitze | die Zitzen |
| accusative | die Zitze | die Zitzen |
| dative | der Zitze | den Zitzen |
| genitive | der Zitze | der Zitzen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
With “Zitze” (teat), references to animals or words from agriculture and veterinary medicine usually indicate the literal meaning. When the word refers to a woman, it is generally meant crudely and derogatorily.
EXAMPLE
Der Tierarzt untersuchte die Zitzen der Ziege.
The veterinarian examined the goat's teats.
Seine Bemerkung über ihre Zitzen war beleidigend.
His remark about her nipples was insulting.
Typical collocations
In its meaning relating to mammals, “Zitze” (teat) is often used with verbs such as “saugen” (to suckle) and “untersuchen” (to examine). It is also commonly used in combinations with animal species and the feeding of young animals.
EXAMPLE
Die Welpen drängten sich um die Zitzen der Hündin und saugten gierig.
The puppies crowded around the dog's teats and suckled greedily.
Crude usage
The meaning referring to a woman's breast belongs to crude and usually derogatory everyday language. In respectful or factual situations, “Zitze” (nipple) therefore sounds insulting.
EXAMPLE
Das Wort „Zitze“ für die Brust einer Frau gilt als vulgär und herabwürdigend.
Using the word “Zitze” (nipple) for a woman's breast is considered vulgar and degrading.
In real life
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