The idea
Use die Zunge for the nominative singular, die Zunge for the accusative, der Zunge for the dative, and der Zunge for the genitive. In the dative plural use den Zungen.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die Zunge | die Zungen |
| Akkusativ | die Zunge | die Zungen |
| Dativ | der Zunge | den Zungen |
| Genitiv | der Zunge | der Zungen |
Meaning and useful combinations
Zunge is feminine and forms Zungen. In pronunciation explanations it names an organ whose position helps form sounds.
Useful combinations: die Zunge bewegen; auf der Zunge; die Zungenspitze. Practise each as a complete phrase; the article belongs to the noun even when an adjective comes between them.
Article check: nominative singular
das Zungedie ZungeThis check asks for the nominative singular: die Zunge. In the meaning taught here, Zunge is feminine. The nominative plural is die Zungen. Learn both forms together; an English translation does not determine German gender.
Examples
- Die Zunge liegt bei diesem Laut hinter den oberen Zähnen.The tongue lies behind the upper teeth for this sound.
- Ich bewege die Zunge für den nächsten Laut nach vorn.I move my tongue forward for the next sound.
- Auf der Zunge bleibt ein süßer Geschmack.A sweet taste remains on the tongue.
- Die Spitze der Zunge berührt kurz den Gaumen.The tip of the tongue briefly touches the palate.
- Die Zungen der Spielzeugschlangen sind aus Stoff.The toy snakes' tongues are made of fabric.
- An den Zungen der Schuhe sitzen kleine Schlaufen.There are small loops on the tongues of the shoes.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not transfer the gender of a translated word into German. The basic learning pair is die Zunge — die Zungen. Zunge is feminine and forms Zungen. In pronunciation explanations it names an organ whose position helps form sounds.
Try it yourself
___ Zunge (der / die / das)
Show answer or example answer
die
die: Zunge is feminine.
Plural: die Zunge → die ___
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Zungen
Zungen: the plural has the article die in the nominative and accusative.
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Zunge (dem / der)
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der
der: mit takes the dative, giving mit der Zunge.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
___ Zunge (der / die / das)
Plural: die Zunge → die ___
Dativ Singular: mit ___ Zunge (dem / der)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Read the six situations, identify Zunge and its forms, then complete the article, plural and dative checks without looking at the table.