der  Schießstand

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃiːsˌʃtant/

🎯 What exactly is a Schießstand?

A Schießstand is a specially designed facility or place where shooting with firearms (like pistols, rifles) or even archery is practiced or done competitively. Such facilities must meet specific safety standards to minimize danger to shooters and bystanders.

There are different types of Schießstände:

• Offene Schießstände: Outdoor ranges.
• Geschlossene Schießstände (Raumschießanlagen): Indoor ranges located in buildings.
• Temporäre Schießstände: Temporary ranges, e.g., at funfairs or festivals (often for air rifles).

The word only uses the article der.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Schießstand

The noun "Schießstand" is masculine. Here is its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Jäger übt regelmäßig auf dem Schießstand.
   (The hunter practices regularly at the shooting range.)
2. Die Sicherheit auf dem Schießstand hat oberste Priorität.
   (Safety at the shooting range has top priority.)
3. Wir treffen uns morgen am Schießstand des Vereins.
   (We'll meet tomorrow at the club's shooting range.)
4. Viele Schützenvereine betreiben eigene Schießstände.
   (Many shooting clubs operate their own shooting ranges.)
5. Der Lärm von den Schießständen war weithin zu hören.
   (The noise from the shooting ranges could be heard from afar.)

🗣️ How is "Schießstand" used?

"Schießstand" is used to denote the physical location where shooting takes place. The context is mostly:

• Sport: Sportschützen (marksmen) train at the Schießstand.
• Jagd (Hunting): Hunters practice their marksmanship.
• Authorities: Police or military use Schießstände for training purposes.
• Leisure: At funfairs, you often find Schießbuden (shooting galleries), a simple form of Schießstand.

One talks about zum Schießstand gehen (going to the shooting range), auf dem Schießstand sein (being at the shooting range), or einen Schießstand betreiben (operating a shooting range).

⚠️ There's little risk of confusion as the word is very specific. It's clearly distinct from "Schießbude" (more of a fairground attraction) or "Schießplatz" (often larger, military).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'der': Think of der Mann (the man) or der Schütze (the male shooter) who stands at the shooting stand. Der is the masculine article.

For the meaning: Imagine someone shoots (schießt) at targets that are on a stand (Stand). A place (Stand) where one shoots = Schießstand.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Same or similar meaning (Synonyms):

• Schießanlage: (Shooting facility) Often used synonymously, sometimes for larger or more complex facilities.
• Schießbahn: (Shooting lane) Often refers to the individual lane within a range, but can also be synonymous with the whole range.
• Schießplatz: (Shooting ground/field) Usually a larger, often military area for shooting.
• Schießbude: (Shooting gallery) Simple stall at fairs, typically with air rifles.
• Raumschießanlage: (Indoor shooting facility) Specifically for indoor ranges.

Opposite terms (Antonyms):

Direct antonyms for a place like "Schießstand" are rare. One could mention places where shooting is strictly forbidden, such as:

• Ruhezone (Quiet zone)
• Naturschutzgebiet (Nature reserve - where shooting is usually banned)
• Befriedeter Bezirk (Enclosed precinct/area where specific activities like shooting might be prohibited)

Similar sounding / Risk of confusion:

• Schießbefehl: (Order to shoot) A command.
• Schießsport: (Shooting sport) The sport itself.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Sportschützen nie den Bus zum Schießstand?

Weil sie Angst haben, dass der Fahrer das Ziel verfehlt! 😉

Why do marksmen never take the bus to the shooting range?

Because they're afraid the driver might miss the target! 😉

📜 A Short Poem

Am Schießstand, voll Konzentration,
Zielt Auge, Hand – Präzision.
Der Knall ertönt, die Kugel fliegt,
Ob Ziel getroffen, ob Sieg besiegt?
Hier übt der Schütz', mit ruhiger Hand,
An diesem Ort, genannt Schießstand.

At the shooting range, full concentration,
Aims eye, hand – pure precision.
The shot rings out, the bullet flies,
Was the target hit, a winning prize?
Here practices the shooter, with steady hand,
At this place, called the shooting stand (Schießstand).

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe Bahnen, aber keinen Zug.
Man zielt auf mich, doch führt kein Betrug.
Hier knallt es laut, doch ist's kein Streit.
Wer bin ich, für Schützen bereit?

Auflösung / Solution: Der Schießstand

I have lanes, but no train.
People aim at me, but there's no cheating game.
It's loud here, but it's not a fight.
Who am I, ready for a shooter's sight?

Answer: Der Schießstand (The shooting range)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Wortzusammensetzung (Word Composition):

The word "Schießstand" is a compound noun, formed from:

• The verb stem "Schieß-" from "schießen" (to shoot)
• The noun "Stand" (in the sense of place, stand, facility)

Safety Aspects: Schießstände are subject to strict legal regulations regarding noise protection and safety (Kugelfang - bullet trap, Standaufsicht - range supervisor, etc.) to prevent accidents and environmental pollution.