die Zunge
tongue
The movable, muscular organ in the mouth that is used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt sagte mir, ich solle die Zunge herausstrecken.
The doctor told me to stick out my tongue.
die Zunge
tongue
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Meanings
etwas liegt einem auf der Zunge
to be on the tip of one's tongue
To be unable to remember a word or name at the moment, even though you feel that you actually know it.
EXAMPLE
Wie hieß der Film noch gleich? Es liegt mir auf der Zunge!
What was the film called again? It's on the tip of my tongue!
sich die Zunge verbrennen
to get burned
To say something thoughtless or inappropriate and experience negative consequences as a result.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser Bemerkung über das Essen seiner Schwiegermutter hat er sich ordentlich die Zunge verbrannt.
With that comment about his mother-in-law's food, he really got burned.
die Zunge
tongue / language
In a figurative or elevated sense, the language or manner of speaking of a person or people.
EXAMPLE
Die Konferenz wurde in vielen verschiedenen Zungen abgehalten.
The conference was held in many different tongues.
die Zunge
tongue
The movable metal pin on a belt buckle or clasp that is inserted into a hole.
EXAMPLE
Die Zunge an meinem Gürtel ist abgebrochen, jetzt kann ich ihn nicht mehr schließen.
The tongue on my belt has broken off, so now I can't fasten it anymore.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In connection with the body part, 'Zunge' (tongue) is often used in fixed collocations. Common ones are 'sich auf die Zunge beißen' (to bite one's tongue, also figuratively) and 'die Zunge herausstrecken' (to stick out one's tongue).
EXAMPLE
Ich wollte etwas Unhöfliches sagen, habe mir aber gerade noch auf die Zunge gebissen.
I wanted to say something rude, but I managed to bite my tongue just in time.
Fixed expression
The expression 'etwas liegt einem auf der Zunge' (something is on the tip of one's tongue) always uses the dative for the person. So it is 'es liegt MIR auf der Zunge', not 'ich'.
EXAMPLE
Warte, sag es nicht! Der Name liegt mir auf der Zunge.
Wait, don't say it! The name is on the tip of my tongue.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich die Zunge verbrennen' (to get burned by saying something inappropriate) is reflexive. You must use the appropriate reflexive pronoun in the dative: ich verbrenne MIR, du verbrennst DIR, er verbrennt SICH die Zunge.
EXAMPLE
Sei vorsichtig, was du im Meeting sagst, damit du dir nicht die Zunge verbrennst.
Be careful what you say in the meeting so you don't get burned.
Register
The use of 'Zunge' (tongue) for 'Sprache' (language) is elevated or poetic. In normal everyday language, the word 'Sprache' is almost always used.
EXAMPLE
Der Dichter beherrschte mehrere Zungen.
The poet mastered several tongues.
Context clue
You will always recognize this specific, technical meaning from the context. If a 'Gürtel' (belt), 'Schnalle' (buckle), or 'Verschluss' (clasp/fastener) is mentioned, this small metal part is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Zunge der Gürtelschnalle ist aus Messing.
The tongue of the belt buckle is made of brass.
Compare with
Zunge vs Sprache
language
Sprache is the neutral term for the communication system of a country or region. Zunge can refer to the same language in a figurative, elevated style. In factual statements, Sprache is the usual choice; Zunge fits better in literary or ceremonial texts.
Zunge
Die Zunge der Region wird auch in vielen Gedichten gewürdigt.
The tongue of the region is also celebrated in many poems.
Sprache
Die Sprache der Region wird auch in vielen Schulen unterrichtet.
The language of the region is also taught in many schools.
In real life
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