das  Geschick

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈʃɪk/

🤔 What does "das Geschick" actually mean?

The noun das Geschick primarily has two meanings:

1. Skill or Dexterity: This refers to the ability to perform something well and precisely, often with one's hands or in handling situations. It describes practical cleverness and adaptability.
   Example: Sie zeigte großes Geschick beim Reparieren der Uhr. (She showed great skill in repairing the watch.)
2. Fate or Destiny: This meaning refers to the course of events, the lot, or the fate of a person or thing. It can relate to good or bad fortune that befalls someone.
   Example: Es war reines Geschick, dass er den Unfall überlebte. (It was pure fate/luck that he survived the accident.)

🚨 Attention: In the sense of "fate", the plural form die Geschicke is often used to describe events or destiny in general (e.g., die Geschicke des Landes lenken - to steer the country's fortunes). The word "das Geschick" itself is mostly used in the singular, especially when referring to skill. It is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Geschick in Detail

"Das Geschick" is a neuter noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural "die Geschicke" exists but often carries the specific meaning of "fate" or "course of events".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - "die Geschicke"

The plural is mainly used in the meaning "fate, course of events".

💡 Example Sentences

• Er bewies großes Geschick im Umgang mit schwierigen Kunden.
  (He showed great skill in dealing with difficult customers.)
• Mit viel diplomatischem Geschick löste sie den Konflikt.
  (With great diplomatic skill, she resolved the conflict.)
• Das Geschick wollte es, dass sie sich wieder trafen.
  (Fate decreed that they should meet again.)
• Der Politiker versuchte, die Geschicke des Landes zu lenken.
  (The politician tried to steer the fortunes/destinies of the country. - Plural)

💬 How is "Geschick" used?

"Das Geschick" is used in different contexts depending on its meaning.

• As Skill/Dexterity: Here, it often describes manual abilities (handwerkliches Geschick - craftsmanship), social competence (soziales Geschick - social skills), or tactical action (diplomatisches Geschick - diplomatic skill). It's similar to Fertigkeit (skill) or Gewandtheit (adroitness), but often emphasizes an innate or practiced ease and cleverness in execution. It generally sounds more positive than just Fähigkeit (ability).
• As Fate/Destiny: In this meaning, it is synonymous with Schicksal (fate) or Los (lot, destiny). It can sometimes sound more elevated or poetic than Schicksal. The phrase "das Geschick wollte es, dass..." (fate would have it that...) is relatively common. The plural die Geschicke is often used in the context of influencing or the course of events of greater significance (e.g., die Geschicke einer Firma/eines Landes lenken - to steer the fortunes of a company/country).

Don't confuse it with Geschenk (present/gift), although both might derive from the verb schicken.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Mnemonic for the Article:

Imagine fate (das Schicksal) ships (schickt) you a neutral package (das Paket) containing skills. Das is the article for das Geschick.

Mnemonic for the Meanings:

My Geschick (fate) is to have Geschick (skill) to handle life's challenges. Think of fate 'sending' (schicken) you your skills or your destiny.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words:

Geschenk: Has a completely different meaning (gift, present).

Geschichte: Refers to a story or history.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum war der Jongleur so erfolgreich?
Er hatte einfach das richtige Geschick... und viele Bälle in der Luft!

(Why was the juggler so successful?
He simply had the right skill/knack... and many balls in the air!)

📜 A Little Poem

Mit ruhiger Hand und klugem Sinn,
zeigt sich das Geschick von Anbeginn.
Mal ist's die Kunst, die zart gelingt,
mal ist's das Los, das Leben bringt.
Ob Handwerk, Wort' oder Geschicke lenken,
wir müssen stets ans Schicksal denken.

(With steady hand and clever mind,
the skill/fate reveals itself from the start.
Sometimes it's art, succeeding gently,
sometimes it's the lot that life imparts.
Whether craft, or words, or steering fates,
we must always think of destiny's states.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich kann Talent sein, fein und zart,
in Händen, Geist und jeder Art.
Ich kann auch Fügung sein, das Los,
mal klein und fein, mal riesengroß.

Was bin ich?

(I can be talent, fine and tender,
In hands, in mind, of every gender.
I can also be destiny, the lot,
Sometimes small and fine, sometimes giant plot.

What am I?)

Solution: das Geschick

📌 Other Information

Word Composition & Origin: "Geschick" derives from the Middle High German word "geschicke", meaning "ordinance, fate, suitable condition". It is related to the verb "schicken" in the sense of "to arrange things as they should be", "to order", or "to send". The dual meaning of skill and fate has existed for a long time.

Common Phrases:

• Handwerkliches Geschick haben (To have manual skill/craftsmanship)
• Diplomatisches Geschick beweisen (To show diplomatic skill)
• Die Geschicke lenken/leiten (To steer the fortunes/destinies)
• Sein Geschick in die Hand nehmen (To take one's destiny into one's own hands)