der  Schreck

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃʁɛk/

😨 What exactly does "der Schreck" mean?

Der Schreck (noun, masculine) refers to a sudden, intense feeling of fear or horror triggered by an unexpected or threatening event. It's a momentary state of being startled or frightened.

• Main meaning: Sudden, intense fear, fright, shock, scare.
• Context: Often used to describe the reaction to something unexpected or frightening.

⚠️ Note the related verb erschrecken (to frighten, to be frightened; strong verb: ich erschrecke, du erschrickst, er erschrickt; past: erschrak; past participle: erschrocken) and the adjective schrecklich (terrible, awful, dreadful).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Schreck

"Der Schreck" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular Declension

Note: In the Genitive and Dative singular, the ending "-e" (Schreckes, Schrecke) is possible but often optional and considered more formal or dated.

Plural Declension

The plural of "Schreck" is "die Schrecken".

Example Sentences

1. Der plötzliche Knall versetzte mir einen Schreck. (The sudden bang gave me a fright.)
2. Sie erholte sich nur langsam von dem Schreck. (She recovered only slowly from the shock.)
3. Der Anblick war ein einziger Schreck. (The sight was quite a shock / simply dreadful.)
4. Er konnte seinen Schreck kaum verbergen. (He could hardly hide his fright.)
5. Die Schrecken des Krieges sind unvorstellbar. (The horrors of war are unimaginable.)

💡 How to use "der Schreck"

"Der Schreck" describes a short, intense moment of fear or being startled. Here are some typical uses:

• Einen Schreck bekommen/kriegen: This is the most common phrase, meaning 'to get a fright' or 'to be startled'. Example: Als die Tür zuschlug, habe ich einen gehörigen Schreck bekommen. (When the door slammed, I got quite a fright.)
• Jemandem einen Schreck einjagen: To give someone a fright, intentionally or unintentionally. Example: Versteck dich nicht hinter der Tür, du jagst mir ja einen Schreck ein! (Don't hide behind the door, you'll give me a fright!)
• Mit dem Schrecken davonkommen: To escape with nothing worse than a fright; to have a lucky escape. Example: Das Auto ist Schrott, aber wir sind zum Glück mit dem Schrecken davongekommen. (The car is wrecked, but luckily we escaped with just a fright.)
• Der Schreck sitzt jemandem in den Gliedern: Literally 'The fright sits in someone's limbs', meaning someone is still noticeably affected by a shock. Example: Auch Stunden nach dem Vorfall saß ihr der Schreck noch in den Gliedern. (Even hours after the incident, she was still shaken / the shock was still in her system.)
• In plural ("die Schrecken"): Often used for terrible events or conditions, e.g., "die Schrecken des Krieges" (the horrors of war).

Unlike Angst (fear, anxiety), which is often longer-lasting and can relate to the future, der Schreck is an immediate reaction to a sudden event.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Schreck"

Article Mnemonic (der)

Imagine a big, scary man (der Mann) causing a fright (der Schreck). The masculine article for 'man' helps remember the masculine article for 'fright'.

Meaning Mnemonic (fright, shock)

"Schreck" sounds a bit like the English word "shriek". You often shriek out of Schreck (fright). Or think of a car wreck - seeing one might give you a Schreck.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Schreck"

⚠️ Potential for Confusion

Be careful not to confuse the noun "der Schreck" with the verb "erschrecken" (to frighten/be frightened) or the adjective "schrecklich" (terrible).

😂 A little joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die alte Dame erschreckt?" Angeklagter: "Ich habe sie nicht erschreckt, Herr Richter. Sie hat mich erschreckt – sie hat plötzlich die Handtasche aufgemacht und gesagt: 'Hände hoch!'"

English: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you frighten the old lady?" Defendant: "I didn't frighten her, Your Honor. She frightened me – she suddenly opened her handbag and said: 'Hands up!'"

📜 Poem about Fright (Schreck)

German: Ein Knall, ein Ruf, ein Schatten huscht, Das Herz im Hals, die Luft verpufft. Ein kurzer Stich, ein kalter Hauch, Der Schreck, er sitzt tief im Bauch. Doch schnell vergeht der erste Schock, Zurück bleibt nur ein müder Rock Der Angst, die kurz die Welt verdreht, Bis Ruhe wieder Einkehr fleht.
English Translation: A bang, a call, a shadow speeds, The heart in throat, the breath recedes. A sudden pang, a chilly breeze, The fright, it sits deep with unease. But quickly fades the initial shock, Just leaving fear's tired frock, That briefly turned the world askew, Till calm requests its entry new.

🤔 Little Riddle

German: Ich komme plötzlich, unerwartet schnell, mache dein Herz pochen, laut und hell. Man bekommt mich, man jagt mich ein, doch bin ich meist nur kurzer Schein. Was bin ich?

Antwort: Der Schreck

English: I come suddenly, unexpectedly fast, make your heart pound, loud and vast. You can get me, you can give me, but I'm usually fleeting, you see. What am I?

Answer: Fright / A scare (Der Schreck)

🤓 Additional Information about "der Schreck"

Word Family (Wortfamilie)

• erschrecken (verb): to frighten, startle; to be frightened, startled.
• schrecklich (adjective): terrible, awful, dreadful.
• schreckhaft (adjective): easily frightened, jumpy.
• Schreckgespenst (noun): bogeyman, bugbear; something used to inspire fear, often unnecessarily.
• Abschrecken (verb): to deter, discourage (often through fear or unpleasantness).

Etymology (Wortherkunft)

The word "Schreck" comes from Middle High German "schrec(ke)" and Old High German "skrek", which originally meant "jump", "leap up". This evolved into the meaning "sudden fright". It's related to the English word "shriek".