der  Schlussstrich

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃlʊsˌʃtʁɪç/

🏁 What exactly is a Schlussstrich?

Der Schlussstrich (noun, masculine) literally refers to a line drawn at the end of a text or a bill to indicate that something is finished (e.g., after an addition).

Much more often, however, der Schlussstrich is used figuratively. Here, it means the definitive ending of something, a relationship, a discussion, or an unpleasant situation. One sets a clear endpoint.

The most important phrase is: einen Schlussstrich ziehen (to draw a line under something / put an end to something).

⚠️ There is only this one article, der, for Schlussstrich.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Der Schlussstrich

The word "Schlussstrich" is a masculine noun. Here is the declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nach langer Überlegung zog sie endlich einen Schlussstrich unter die Beziehung.
   (After long consideration, she finally drew a line under the relationship.)
2. Der Buchhalter machte einen dicken Schlussstrich unter die Summe.
   (The accountant drew a thick final line under the sum.)
3. Es ist Zeit, einen Schlussstrich unter die Vergangenheit zu ziehen und nach vorne zu blicken.
   (It's time to draw a line under the past and look forward.)
4. Die Verhandlungen waren zäh, aber am Ende konnte ein Schlussstrich gezogen werden.
   (The negotiations were tough, but in the end, a line could be drawn / an end could be put to it.)

💡 How to Use "Schlussstrich" Correctly

The term der Schlussstrich is almost exclusively used in the idiom "einen Schlussstrich ziehen" or "einen Schlussstrich machen" (to draw a line / put an end to something).

• Context: It usually involves consciously and definitively ending an emotionally burdensome situation, an argument, an unproductive phase, or an old habit. It signals a break, a new beginning.
• Application: You can 'draw a line' (einen Schlussstrich ziehen) under a debate, a friendship, a chapter of life, or a project.
• Differentiation: While "Ende" (end) or "Abschluss" (conclusion, completion) can be more neutral, "Schlussstrich ziehen" often implies a deliberate decision to leave something behind that was potentially difficult or unpleasant. It carries a stronger connotation of finality and mental processing.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Strich (the line). A line (Strich) in German is masculine, so DER Schlussstrich is also masculine. Like a strong man (der Mann) saying: "This is the end!"

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine drawing a thick, final line (einen Strich) under something that needs to be over. This Schluss-Strich (ending-line) marks the irrevocable end.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Be cautious with "der Strich" alone: It can have many meanings (line, stroke, but also slang for street prostitution).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum ziehen Mathematiker so ungern einen Schlussstrich unter eine Beziehung?

Weil sie immer Angst haben, dass noch eine Unbekannte auftaucht! 😉

---

Why are mathematicians reluctant to draw a line under a relationship?

Because they're always afraid another unknown (variable) will show up! 😉

✒️ A Poem About the Final Line

Manchmal ist es schwer,
das Alte lastet sehr.
Doch Mut fasst Herz und Hand,
knüpft ein neues Band.

Ein klarer Schnitt muss sein,
lässt los den alten Schein.
Mit Tinte, fest und dicht,
zieht man den Schlussstrich.

---

Sometimes it is hard,
The old weighs down a lot.
But heart and hand find courage,
Tying a new knot (lit. band).

A clear cut must be made,
Letting go of the old charade.
With ink, firm and tight,
One draws the final line (Schlussstrich).

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Punkt, doch mache klar,
dass etwas nun zu Ende war.
Man zieht mich oft mit fester Hand,
wenn man löst ein altes Band.

Was bin ich?

---

I'm not a dot, yet I make it clear,
That something now has ended here.
I'm often drawn with a firm hand,
When loosening an old band.

What am I?

Solution: Der Schlussstrich (The final line / drawing the line)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

The word "Schlussstrich" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Der Schluss: Meaning the end, the conclusion.
• Der Strich: Meaning the line, the stroke.

Literally: A line that marks the end.

Cultural Significance:

The ability 'einen Schlussstrich zu ziehen' (to draw a line under something) is often seen as a sign of mental strength and the ability to let go and make a fresh start. The idiom is very common and widely understood in German-speaking countries.