der
Schick
✨ What does 'der Schick' mean?
The noun der Schick describes a quality or state of elegance, style, and fashionable taste. It often refers to the appearance of people, clothing, or the design of objects.
- It signifies a certain fashionable elegance or a special flair.
- It's mostly used without an article or with the definite article der.
- A plural form is very uncommon.
⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse it with the adjective schick (stylish, elegant).
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Schick
Der Schick is a masculine noun. It's used almost exclusively in the singular. A plural form theoretically exists (die Schicks), but is practically never used as it's an abstract noun.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Schick |
| Genitive | des | Schicks |
| Dative | dem | Schick |
| Accusative | den | Schick |
As a plural is extremely rare, a plural table is omitted.
Example Sentences
- Sie hat einfach den richtigen Schick für Mode. (She simply has the right flair for fashion.)
- Das Restaurant wurde mit viel Schick eingerichtet. (The restaurant was furnished with great style.)
- Ihm fehlt der nötige Schick, um auf der Gala zu beeindrucken. (He lacks the necessary elegance to impress at the gala.)
- Ein Hauch von Pariser Schick wehte durch den Raum. (A touch of Parisian chic wafted through the room.)
💡 How to use 'der Schick'
Der Schick is used to describe a positive aesthetic quality associated with fashion, elegance, and good taste.
- Context: Often in conversations about fashion, interior design, personal appearance.
- Style: Ranges from colloquial to standard language.
- Usage: Frequently found in phrases like "den Schick haben" (to have the flair/style), "mit Schick" (with style), "ohne Schick" (without style).
- Distinction: While the adjective schick describes a quality ("ein schickes Kleid" - a chic dress), the noun der Schick refers to the concept or quality itself ("dem Kleid fehlt der Schick" - the dress lacks chic/style).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of a stylish man: der Mann hat Schick (the man has style). The article is der.
Meaning Mnemonic: Schick sounds a bit like the English 'chic'. It means exactly that: having chic or style.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Schlampigkeit (sloppiness)
- Die Stillosigkeit (lack of style)
- Die Geschmacklosigkeit (tastelessness)
- Die Ungepflegtheit (unkemptness)
- Der Kitsch (kitsch, sometimes)
Similar Words:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Besen keinen Schick?
Weil er immer nur auskehrt, aber nie einkehrt... um sich etwas Modisches zu kaufen!
(Why does the broom have no style/chic? Because it always sweeps out ('auskehrt') but never stops in ('einkehrt')... to buy something fashionable! - A pun on 'auskehren' = to sweep out and 'einkehren' = to stop somewhere, e.g., a restaurant or shop)
✍️ Poem about 'Schick'
Ein Hauch von Eleganz, so fein,
Das muss wohl der Schick nur sein.
Im Kleide, im Raum, im Blick,
Ein kleines, stilvolles Glück.
Nicht jeder hat ihn, das ist klar,
Doch wer ihn hat, ist wunderbar.
(A touch of elegance, so fine,
That must surely be 'der Schick'.
In dress, in room, in gaze,
A small, stylish piece of luck/happiness.
Not everyone has it, that's clear,
But whoever has it, is wonderful.)
🧩 Who or what am I?
Ich bin nicht Kleidung, doch schmücke dich gern,
Ich wohne im Stil, bin modern.
Man sagt, du hast mich, wenn's elegant wirkt,
Ein französisches Wort sich in mir verbirgt.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: der Schick
(I am not clothing, yet I gladly adorn you,
I dwell in style, am modern.
They say you have me when things look elegant,
A French word is hidden within me.
What am I?
Answer: der Schick)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Schick" was borrowed in the 19th century from the French chic. Interestingly, chic itself might have originated from the German word "Geschick" (meaning skill, aptitude, fitting form) and then re-borrowed back into German. The exact etymology is not entirely certain.
Related Adjective: The very common adjective schick (chic, stylish) is directly derived from the noun.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schick?
The German word Schick means elegance or style and uses the article der (der Schick). It describes a fashionable, tasteful appearance and is primarily used in the singular.