der  Schieber

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃiːbɐ/

⚙️ What Exactly is a Schieber?

The German word der Schieber has several, quite different meanings:

1. Mechanical component: A movable part used for opening, closing, or regulating something. Examples include the Riegel (bolt) on a door, a Regler (slider control, e.g., volume slider), or a Absperrschieber (gate valve) in pipes.
   Example: „Bitte schließ den Schieber am Gartentor.“ (Please close the bolt on the garden gate.)

2. Person (negative): Someone involved in illegal business, especially black market trading or procuring scarce goods at inflated prices (profiteer, spiv). Historically often associated with the post-war era. Also, someone who 'arranges' things through bribery or connections (a fixer).
   Example: „Er hat sein Vermögen als Schieber gemacht.“ (He made his fortune as a profiteer/black marketeer.) ⚠️ This meaning has strong negative connotations.

3. Person (colloquial): Someone who pushes something (e.g., pushes a bicycle instead of riding it). This meaning is less common and usually depends on the context.

4. Tool: Sometimes a tool used for pushing (like a Schneeschieber - snow pusher/shovel) is colloquially shortened to Schieber, although the full term is more accurate.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Schieber

The noun „Schieber“ is masculine. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Der Mechaniker ersetzte den defekten Schieber im Ventil.
   (The mechanic replaced the faulty slider/valve part in the valve.)
2. In den Nachkriegsjahren gab es viele Schieber, die auf dem Schwarzmarkt handelten.
   (In the post-war years, there were many black marketeers/profiteers who traded on the black market.)
3. Sie nannten ihn den „Fahrrad-Schieber“, weil sein Rad immer kaputt war.
   (They called him the "bicycle pusher" because his bike was always broken.)

💡 How to Use "Schieber"?

The use of der Schieber heavily depends on the context:

• Technology & Crafts: Here, „Schieber“ clearly refers to a functional element (bolt, slider, valve part). The usage is neutral and descriptive.
• Society & Crime: In this context, „Schieber“ is a derogatory term for a person engaged in illegal or immoral business. The connotation is very negative and often historical (e.g., post-war period, black market).
• Colloquial Speech: The meaning "person who pushes something" is rare and usually only understandable in direct context or meant humorously.

It's crucial to consider the context to avoid misunderstandings. The negative meaning is still current and should not be used lightly.

The related verb is schieben (to push, slide, but also: to postpone, to shift blame).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Mann (the man) who does shady deals (a Schieber), or DER Riegel (the bolt/slider, a Schieber) on the door. Both are masculine concepts associated with 'der'.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Schieber (person) either schiebt (pushes/slides) goods illegally across the border, or schiebt (pushes/slides) a Riegel (mechanical slider/bolt) shut.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words

• Schieblehre: A caliper (measuring tool), not a slider/bolt or person.
• Abschieber: A person carrying out or ordering a deportation (official context).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Informatiker nie den Fahrstuhl?
Weil sie lieber den Schieber am Scrollbalken benutzen!

Translation: Why do computer scientists never take the elevator?
Because they prefer using the Schieber (slider) on the scrollbar!

📜 Poem about the Schieber

Der Schieber schiebt, bei Tag und Nacht,
Mal ist's ein Riegel, gut bewacht.
Mal schiebt er heimlich, still und leis,
Waren zum viel zu hohen Preis.
Ein Wort, zwei Welten, klar getrennt,
Technik und Schatten man erkennt.

Translation:
The Schieber slides, by day and night,
Sometimes a bolt, guarded tight.
Sometimes it pushes secretly, soft and low,
Goods at a price way too high to go.
One word, two worlds, clearly apart,
Technology and shadows you can chart.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch regel deinen Ton.
Ich schließe deine Tür, das kennst du sicher schon.
Manchmal bin ich krumm und meide jedes Licht,
Verkaufe, was verboten, und zeige kein Gesicht.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I have no mouth, but control your sound.
I close your door, as you've surely found.
Sometimes I'm crooked and avoid all light,
Selling forbidden things, hidden from sight.

Who am I?
(Answer: Der Schieber)

🧩 Further Insights

Word Formation: The word „Schieber“ is derived (nominalized) from the verb „schieben“ (to push, to slide). It describes either the object that is or can be pushed/slid (Riegel - bolt), or the person who pushes (Händler - trader, someone physically pushing something).

Compound Words: There are many compound words, e.g.:

• Regelschieber: A control element for regulation (e.g., volume, brightness slider).
• Absperrschieber: A gate valve for shutting off pipes.
• Schneeschieber: A snow pusher/shovel.
• Türschieber: Another term for a door bolt/latch.