der  Schornsteinfeger

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃɔʁnʃtaɪnfɛɡɐ/

🧹 What exactly is a Schornsteinfeger?

Der Schornsteinfeger (masculine) refers to a person whose job is to clean, inspect, and maintain chimneys (*Schornsteine* or *Rauchfänge*) and heating systems (*Feuerungsanlagen*). This work is essential for fire prevention (*Brandschutz*) and ensuring operational safety.

In Germany and some other countries, the *Schornsteinfeger* is also traditionally considered a good luck charm (*Glücksbringer*) 🍀. Seeing or touching one is believed to bring good fortune for the new year.

There is only this one article (der) for this word. No risk of confusion! 👍

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Schornsteinfeger

The noun „Schornsteinfeger“ is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Der Schornsteinfeger kommt heute, um den Kamin zu reinigen.
  (The chimney sweep is coming today to clean the chimney.)
• Die Rechnung des Schornsteinfegers lag im Briefkasten.
  (The chimney sweep's bill was in the mailbox.)
• Wir haben dem Schornsteinfeger Trinkgeld gegeben.
  (We gave the chimney sweep a tip.)
• Hast du den Schornsteinfeger schon gesehen?
  (Have you seen the chimney sweep yet?)
• An Neujahr sieht man viele Schornsteinfeger als Glücksbringerfiguren.
  (On New Year's Day, you see many chimney sweeps as good luck figurines.)

🛠️ When and how to use Schornsteinfeger?

In a professional context: You talk about the *Schornsteinfeger* when referring to the cleaning and inspection of heating systems (*Heizungsanlagen*) and chimneys (*Schornsteine*). They are responsible for fire safety (*Brandschutz*) and emission measurements (*Emissionsmessungen*).

Example: „Wir müssen einen Termin mit dem Schornsteinfeger vereinbaren.“ (We need to make an appointment with the chimney sweep.)

As a symbol of luck: Especially around New Year's Eve (*Silvester*) and New Year's Day (*Neujahr*), the *Schornsteinfeger* is mentioned as a good luck charm (*Glücksbringer*) or given as a small figurine.

Example: „Ich habe dir einen kleinen Schornsteinfeger für das neue Jahr mitgebracht!“ (I brought you a little chimney sweep for the new year!)

Distinction: The word is very specific. Sometimes synonyms like „Kaminkehrer“ or „Rauchfangkehrer“ (especially in Austria and Southern Germany) are used, but „Schornsteinfeger“ is the most common term.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of typical professions ending in '-er' in German, many are masculine (*der*). Der Feger (the sweeper) -> der Schornsteinfeger.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: *Schornstein* sounds a bit like "shorn stone" (imagine a stone chimney) and *fegen* sounds like "fay-gen" (imagine *again* and *again* sweeping). So, the *Schornsteinfeger* sweeps the chimney *again* and *again*.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Heizungsinstallateur: Heating installer - installs and repairs heating systems, but typically doesn't clean chimneys.
• Dachdecker: Roofer - works on the roof, but has different tasks.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Schornsteinfeger immer eine Leiter mit zur Party?

Damit sie auf jeden Fall auf höchstem Niveau feiern können! 🎉🪜

(Why do chimney sweeps always bring a ladder to the party?)
(So they can celebrate at the highest level!)

✒️ Poem about the Chimney Sweep

Schwarz gekleidet, hoch aufs Dach,
steigt der Schornsteinfeger, ach!
Mit Besen, Kugel, festem Schritt,
bringt er uns Sauberkeit mit.
Ruß und Staub, die müssen weichen,
Brandschutz ist sein Ehrenzeichen.
Und wer ihn trifft, so sagt man hier,
hat Glück im neuen Jahr, fürwahr! 🍀

(Dressed in black, high on the roof,
climbs the chimney sweep, aloof!
With brush and ball, a steady pace,
he brings cleanliness to the place.
Soot and dust must disappear,
Fire safety is his sign so clear.
And who meets him, it's said right here,
has luck in the New Year, oh dear! 🍀)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich klettere hoch, bin oft ganz schwarz,
sorge dafür, dass es nicht knallt und kracht.
Ich fege den Weg für Rauch und Qualm,
und bringe auch Glück, sagt mancher Psalm.

Wer bin ich?

(I climb up high, I'm often all black,
make sure there's no bang or crack.
I sweep the path for smoke and fumes,
and also bring luck, as many assume.)

Who am I?

Solution: Der Schornsteinfeger (The Chimney Sweep)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Trivia about the Good Luck Charm

The belief in the chimney sweep as a good luck charm dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, the risk of house fires from clogged chimneys was very high. The *Schornsteinfeger*, through his work, protected homes and farms from fire and was therefore seen as someone who averted misfortune and thus brought good luck.

Word Composition

The word „Schornsteinfeger“ is a compound noun, composed of:

• der Schornstein: The chimney (masonry or metal flue for smoke and exhaust gases).
• fegen: To sweep (cleaning with a broom).

So literally: someone who sweeps the chimney.