tongue
Translation
tongue, language, speech
Examples
I burnt my tongue on the hot soup.
I burned my tongue on the hot soup.
English is not my mother tongue.
English is not my mother tongue.
He has a sharp tongue.
He has a sharp tongue.
Grammar Patterns
mother tongue one's native language English is my mother tongue.
to hold one's tongue to stay silent I had to hold my tongue.
Similar Words
Synonyms: language, dialect, speech
Etymology
From Old English 'tunge'.
Memory Tips
Notice how many languages use the same word for the body part and for 'language' (e.g., French 'langue', Spanish 'lengua'). This connection makes both meanings easier to remember.