das
Schießen
🎯 What does "das Schießen" mean?
Das Schießen refers to the process or act of shooting itself. It is the nominalized form of the verb schießen (to shoot).
It generally refers to firing projectiles from a weapon (e.g., Gewehr - rifle, Pistole - pistol, Bogen - bow) or also to specific sports or game activities.
- Sportliches Schießen: Shooting sports, aiming at targets (Scheiben) or other objects as a competition or leisure activity (e.g., das Bogenschießen - archery, das Sportschießen - sport shooting).
- Jagdliches Schießen: Hunting, killing game with a firearm.
- Militärisches/Polizeiliches Schießen: Military/Police shooting, the use of firearms in service or combat.
- Spielerisches Schießen: Shooting games, e.g., at a funfair (das Dosenschießen - can shooting) or in video games.
- Fußball (Soccer): Sometimes, shooting at the goal is colloquially referred to as das Schießen, although der Schuss (the shot) is more common.
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse das Schießen (the act/process of shooting) with der Schuss (the shot, the single act of firing).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Schießen
Das Schießen is a nominalized infinitive (substantivierter Infinitiv) derived from the verb schießen, and therefore it is always neuter (sächlich). It is normally only used in the singular.
Declension Singular
| Case (Kasus) | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Schießen |
| Genitive | des | Schießens |
| Dative | dem | Schießen |
| Accusative | das | Schießen |
A plural form (die Schießen) is very uncommon but could theoretically occur in contexts referring to different types of shooting events (e.g., "Die verschiedenen Schießen auf dem Volksfest waren gut besucht." - The various shooting events at the fair were well attended.). However, this is usually phrased differently.
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Schießen mit dem Bogen erfordert viel Konzentration.
(Shooting with the bow requires a lot of concentration.) - Der Lärm des Schießens war ohrenbetäubend.
(The noise of the shooting was deafening.) - Er widmet seine Freizeit dem Schießen im Verein.
(He dedicates his free time to shooting in the club.) - Wir üben das Schießen auf dem Schießstand.
(We practice shooting at the shooting range.)
💡 Everyday Application: How to use "das Schießen"?
Das Schießen is used to describe the general act or discipline of shooting, often in more formal or technical contexts than the simple verb schießen.
- Contexts: Sports clubs (Schützenverein - shooting club), military exercises (Militärübungen), hunting (Jagd), shooting ranges (Schießstände), theoretical discussions about firearm use, describing sounds ("das Schießen in der Ferne" - the shooting in the distance).
- Distinction: While schießen describes the action ("Er schießt auf die Scheibe." - He is shooting at the target.), das Schießen refers to the activity as a whole ("Das Schießen ist sein Hobby." - Shooting is his hobby.). Der Schuss is the result or the single act ("Der Schuss traf ins Schwarze." - The shot hit the bullseye.).
- Compounds: It is frequently part of compound nouns specifying types of shooting: Bogenschießen (archery), Torwandschießen (goal wall shooting), Sportschießen (sport shooting), Wettschießen (shooting competition), Scheibenschießen (target shooting).
🧠 Mnemonics & Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the Article: Remember that many activities turned into nouns take 'das' in German: das Laufen (running), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Essen (eating)... and also das Schießen (shooting). The activity itself is the 'thing' being discussed.
Mnemonic for the Meaning: Imagine someone aiming carefully. The long 'ie' sound in Schießen sounds like 'ee' in 'keen' or 'see' – you need keen sight and concentration for das Schießen. The 'ßen' could sound like the 'hiss' of the arrow or bullet.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for das Schießen
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Beschuss: Bombardment, fire (often military, continuous shooting).
- Das Geballer / Das Ballern: Blasting, banging (colloquial, often negative for loud, uncontrolled shooting).
- Die Schießerei: Shootout, gunfight (refers more to an exchange of fire).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Das Nichtschießen: Not shooting
- Die Waffenruhe / Der Waffenstillstand: Ceasefire, truce
- Die Entwaffnung: Disarmament
⚠️ Similar Words (Watch out!):
- Scheißen: Completely different meaning (to shit)! Pronounced differently (short 'ei' like in 'height' vs. long 'ie' like in 'see'). Pay attention to spelling and pronunciation!
- Der Schuss: The shot (the individual act or its sound).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum treffen sich Schützen immer zum Frühstück?
Damit sie gut eingeschossen in den Tag starten! 😉
---
Why do marksmen always meet for breakfast?
So they can start the day well 'shot in'! 😉 (Pun: 'eingeschossen sein' means both 'to be sighted in / zeroed' for a rifle and figuratively 'to be well-practiced/warmed-up')
📜 A Little Poem
Das Auge zielt, die Hand hält still,
Konzentration, das ist der Will'.
Der Bogen spannt, der Pfeil fliegt fort,
Das Schießen ist ein ernster Sport.
Ein leiser Hauch, dann trifft es klar,
Mitten ins Ziel, wunderbar.
---
The eye takes aim, the hand holds still,
Concentration, that is the will.
The bow is drawn, the arrow flies forth,
Shooting is a serious sport.
A silent breath, then it hits clear,
Right on target, wonderful dear.
🕵️♀️ Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Handlung, oft laut, manchmal leise,
man übt mich im Verein, auf militärische Weise.
Ob mit Pfeil, Kugel oder auf dem Rummelplatz,
ich fordere Konzentration und einen festen Platz.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Schießen
---
I am an action, often loud, sometimes quiet,
practiced in clubs, or in a military rite.
With arrow, bullet, or at the fairground game,
I demand focus and a steady aim.
What am I?
Solution: Das Schießen (Shooting)
🧩 Other Information
Word Formation
Das Schießen is a nominalized infinitive (Substantivierung des Infinitivs) of the verb schießen (to shoot). Such nominalizations in German are always neuter (sächlich) and describe the action or process of the verb itself.
Cultural Notes
Schützenvereine (shooting clubs) and Schützenfeste (marksmen's festivals) have a long tradition in many regions of Germany and are an important part of local customs (Brauchtum).
Compound Words (Examples)
- Bogenschießen: Archery (lit. bow-shooting)
- Sportschießen: Sport shooting
- Wettschießen: Shooting competition (lit. bet-shooting)
- Scheibenschießen: Target shooting (lit. disc-shooting)
- Vogelschießen: Bird shooting (traditional competition at festivals, usually involves shooting a wooden bird)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schießen?
The answer is clear: It's always das Schießen. Since it's the nominalization of the verb schießen (turning the activity itself into a noun), it is neuter. Think of other activities: das Laufen (running), das Singen (singing), das Lesen (reading).