Usage Note
Fingernagel is masculine (der Fingernagel), plural Fingernägel. Sich die Fingernägel kauen means to bite one's nails (nervous habit); the related idiom etwas brennt mir unter den Nägeln means something is urgently pressing.
Examples
"Er kaute nervös an seinen Fingernägeln."
Natural Translation
He nervously bit his fingernails.
Literal Translation
He chewed nervously on his fingernails.
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