How to Say "Bite" in German - How To Say Guide

Biss

/bɪs/

The English word "bite" can be translated into German as Biss.

Biss refers to the act of biting or the physical wound left by teeth.

Meaning: attack with the teeth (verb)

Which one should you use?

While Biss refers to the act of biting or the wound left by teeth, Bissen refers specifically to a small amount of food taken in one mouthful.

The plural of the noun Biss is Bisse.

/bɪs/

While Biss is used for the act of biting, the German word for 'bite' in the sense of a sting from an insect is Stich. Using Biss for a mosquito would sound unnatural to a native speaker.
In German, describing pasta or vegetables as having Biss is a compliment to the chef. It means the food is not mushy and retains a firm texture, similar to the Italian 'al dente'.
If you want to describe a person's 'bite' in terms of their character or determination, German uses the expression den Biss haben, meaning to have the 'bite' or the 'drive' to succeed.

Tom biss in meinen Apfel.
Tom took a bite of my apple.
This sentence shows the use of Biss in the context of eating.
Tatoeba #7708904 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5542598 by CK
Der Biss ist nicht allzu tief.
The bite isn't very deep.
This sentence uses Biss to describe the depth of a wound.
Tatoeba #5308082 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5259880 by tabular
Mayuko biss einmal in meinen Apfel.
Mayuko took a bite of my apple.
This sentence demonstrates the use of Biss regarding eating.
Tatoeba #2224186 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #32377 by CN
Bitte beißen Sie vorsichtig in den Apfel.
Please take a bite of the apple carefully.
20 more sentences on Tatoeba

Laura and Felix are talking about a dog at the park.

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