das  Schwergewicht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃveːʁɡəˌvɪçt/

🏋️ What does 'das Schwergewicht' mean?

The German word das Schwergewicht has several meanings:

• Literal (Sports): It refers to the highest weight class in certain combat sports like boxing or wrestling. It describes athletes with a very high body weight.
• Literal (Physics/General): An object or mass with a significant weight.
• Figurative: A person, organization, or thing of great importance, influence, or significance in a specific field (e.g., politics, business, arts). One might speak of a politisches Schwergewicht (political heavyweight) or a wirtschaftliches Schwergewicht (economic heavyweight).

It's a compound noun formed from schwer (heavy) and das Gewicht (weight).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Schwergewicht

The noun 'Schwergewicht' is neuter. It uses the article das.

Declension

Note: The genitive and dative singular can optionally take an linking '-e'.

Example Sentences

1. Der Boxer tritt im Schwergewicht an. (The boxer competes in the heavyweight division.)
2. Diese Maschine ist ein echtes Schwergewicht; wir brauchen einen Kran, um sie zu bewegen. (This machine is a real heavyweight; we need a crane to move it.)
3. Er gilt als politisches Schwergewicht seiner Partei. (He is considered a political heavyweight in his party.)
4. Die Verhandlungen wurden von den wirtschaftlichen Schwergewichten der Branche dominiert. (The negotiations were dominated by the economic heavyweights of the industry.)

💡 How to use 'das Schwergewicht'?

'Das Schwergewicht' is frequently used in the context of sports like boxing, wrestling, or weightlifting to describe the highest weight class.

In general language, it can refer to any object of considerable weight, often emphasizing its mass or unwieldiness.

The figurative meaning is very common. Here, 'Schwergewicht' describes a person or entity with significant influence or importance. You'll often find it in news and reports about politics, business, or culture.

• Comparison: The opposite is 'das Leichtgewicht', used both literally (low weight class) and figuratively (person/thing of little importance).
• Context: The figurative meaning is often slightly appreciative but can also be neutral depending on the context.

🧠 Mnemonics

How to remember the article and meaning?

Article Mnemonic: Many German words ending in '-gewicht' are neuter (das Gewicht, das Übergewicht, das Körpergewicht). Think of das Gewicht (the weight) that is schwer (heavy) → das Schwergewicht.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a huge, heavy weightlifter (schwer + Gewicht) who carries a lot of 'weight' not just in the ring but also figuratively – meaning they are important. A 'Schwergewicht' lifts a lot – whether it's barbells or responsibilities! 💪

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but different words

• Wichtigkeit (importance): Refers abstractly to significance, whereas 'Schwergewicht' (figuratively) often denotes a specific person or entity.
• Gewicht (weight): The general term for mass or importance; 'Schwergewicht' is more specific (very high weight or great influence).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Trainer den Boxer: "Na, wie fühlst du dich als Schwergewicht?"
Antwortet der Boxer: "Gut, aber mein Schatten ist jetzt ein Leichtgewicht!"

(Trainer asks the boxer: "Well, how do you feel as a heavyweight?"
The boxer replies: "Good, but my shadow is a lightweight now!")

📜 Little Poem

Ein Riese im Ring, voll Kraft und voll Wucht,
Das Schwergewicht kämpft, hat niemals Furcht.
Doch auch im Büro, wo die Akten sich stauen,
Sitzt ein Schwergewicht, dem Bosse vertrauen.
Mit Einfluss und Macht, ein wichtiger Mann,
Zieht Fäden geschickt, packt Probleme fest an.

(A giant in the ring, full of power and force,
The heavyweight fights, feels no remorse.
But also in the office, where files pile high,
Sits a heavyweight, on whom bosses rely.
With influence and power, an important man,
Pulls strings deftly, tackles problems as he can.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ganz oben auf der Skala,
Im Ring gefürchtet, allemal.
Auch wer viel Einfluss hat und zählt,
Wird oft als ich der Welt erzählt.

Was bin ich?

(I am at the very top of the scale,
Feared in the ring, without fail.
Also, one who has much influence and counts,
Is often named as me, the world recounts.

What am I?)
(Answer: das Schwergewicht)

🧩 Trivia & Composition

Word Composition: The word is a clear compound of the adjective schwer (heavy) and the noun das Gewicht (weight).

Boxing Context: In professional boxing, the heavyweight division typically starts at a weight of over 90.72 kg (200 pounds). The exact limits can vary slightly depending on the boxing association.