das  Schwert

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃvɛʁt/

⚔️ What does "das Schwert" mean?

Das Schwert (noun, neuter) refers to a sword, a weapon with typically a straight, double-edged blade (Klinge), a hilt (Griff or Gehilz), and often a hand guard (Parier). It's one of the oldest and most historically significant weapons and also plays a major role in myths, legends, and pop culture.

There is only one article for the word Schwert: das. It is a neuter noun.

• Example: Der Ritter zog das Schwert aus der Scheide. (The knight drew the sword from the sheath.)

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Schwert

"Schwert" is a noun with the neuter article "das". Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Schmied fertigte das Schwert mit großer Sorgfalt. (The blacksmith crafted the sword with great care.)
2. Die Schärfe des Schwertes war legendär. (The sharpness of the sword was legendary.)
3. Mit dem Schwert verteidigte er sich tapfer. (He defended himself bravely with the sword.)
4. Die Ausstellung zeigte viele alte Schwerter. (The exhibition showed many old swords.)
5. Die Geschichte der Schwerter ist faszinierend. (The history of swords is fascinating.)

💡 How to use "das Schwert"?

"Das Schwert" is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Historical: Referring to knights (Ritter), wars (Kriege), battles (Schlachten), and medieval weapons.
• Literature & Film: Especially in fantasy stories, fairy tales (Märchen), and historical novels/films.
• Sports: In the context of fencing (Fechten), although more specific terms like Degen (épée), Florett (foil), or Säbel (sabre) are often used here.
• Symbolic: As a symbol of power (Macht), justice (Gerechtigkeit, e.g., the sword of Lady Justice), combat (Kampf), or honor (Ehre).
• Idioms: For example, "das Schwert ergreifen" (to take up the sword / to fight) or "etwas ins Schwert fallen" (to blame someone / literally: to fall into someone's sword).

Compared to Messer (das - knife) or Dolch (der - dagger), a Schwert is typically longer and primarily intended as a weapon, not a tool.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Schwert"

For the article: Imagine das Kind (the child - neuter) playing with a wooden Schwert. Children often play with things that are neuter ('das'). Or: Think of das Metall (the metal - neuter) of the Schwert.

For the meaning: Imagine the sound a sword makes: it goes SHWoop through the air and hits something hARD -> SCHW-ERT! (Okay, a bit silly, but maybe it helps!).

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential for Confusion):

• der Schwertfisch: swordfish
• die Schwertlilie: iris (flower with sword-shaped leaves)
• Schwerdtfeger (surname): Family name, originally meaning sword smith.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Ritter ihre Schwerter mit ins Bett?

Damit sie im Schlaf niemanden abstechen!

(Why do knights take their swords to bed? So they don't stab anyone in their sleep! - This is a pun: "abstechen" can mean "to stab someone" but also "to tap something", like a keg. The humor is mild and relies on the double meaning, imagining a knight accidentally tapping someone like a barrel.)

✍️ Poem about the Sword

Das Schwert, aus Stahl geschmiedet blank,
In Ritters Hand, sein Stolz, sein Dank.
Es blitzt im Licht, erzählt von Streit,
Von Heldenmut und alter Zeit.
Das Schwert, es ruht nun in der Scheid',
Ein stummer Zeuge, längst befreit
Von Zorn und Kampf, von Blut und Not,
Ein Symbol nur, nicht mehr der Tod.

--- English Translation ---

The sword, forged bright from steel,
In knightly hand, his pride, his weal.
It flashes light, tells tales of strife,
Of bravery and ancient life.
The sword, it rests now in its sheath,
A silent witness, long beneath
The rage of battle, blood, and dread,
A symbol now, no longer deathly red.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe eine Klinge, doch schneide kein Brot.
Ich habe einen Griff, doch öffne keine Tür.
In Sagen und Schlachten fand man mich oft,
mal blank poliert, mal rostig und stumpf. Mein Artikel ist sächlich, das sei dir gesagt. Was bin ich?

--- English Translation & Clues ---

I have a blade (Klinge), but cut no bread.
I have a hilt (Griff), but open no door.
In legends (Sagen) and battles (Schlachten) I was often found,
sometimes brightly polished, sometimes rusty and dull.
My article is neuter (sächlich), let that be told to you.
What am I?

Solution: das Schwert (the sword)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Schwert" comes from the Old High German "swert", which originally meant "the wounding" or "the cutting".
• Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): There are many compound words with "Schwert", e.g., Schwertkampf (sword fight), Schwertscheide (sheath/scabbard), Schwertgriff (sword hilt), Laserschwert (lightsaber - Sci-Fi), Zweihandschwert (two-handed sword), Richtschwert (executioner's sword).
• Famous Swords: Many cultures have legends about famous swords, such as Excalibur (Arthurian legend) or Gram/Balmung (Nibelungenlied).