der  Schrei

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃʁaɪ/

🔊 What does 'der Schrei' mean?

Der Schrei (noun, masculine) refers to a loud, often high-pitched and piercing sound emitted from the human mouth. It typically expresses strong emotions such as:

• Fear or terror (e.g., ein Schrei beim Anblick einer Gefahr 😱 - a scream at the sight of danger)
• Pain (e.g., ein Schmerzensschrei 🤕 - a cry of pain)
• Joy or excitement (e.g., ein Freudenschrei 🎉 - a shout of joy)
• Anger or frustration (e.g., ein Wutschrei 😠 - a yell of anger)
• Warning (e.g., ein Warnschrei ⚠️ - a warning shout)

A Schrei is often involuntary and serves as a strong signal to the surroundings. It differs from a normal Ruf (call) in its intensity and emotional charge.

🧐 Grammar Corner: 'der Schrei'

The noun 'Schrei' is masculine. Its article is der.

💡 Examples in Context

1. Ein lauter Schrei hallte durch die Nacht. (A loud scream echoed through the night.)
2. Man hörte den Schrei bis ins Nachbarhaus. (You could hear the scream all the way to the neighbor's house.)
3. Nach dem Schrei wurde es plötzlich still. (After the scream, it suddenly became quiet.)
4. Die Ursache des Schreis blieb unklar. (The cause of the scream remained unclear.)
5. Die Schreie der Kinder kamen vom Spielplatz. (The children's screams came from the playground.)
6. Wir hörten die Schreie schon von Weitem. (We heard the screams from far away already.)
7. Er lauschte den Schreien im Wald. (He listened to the screams in the forest.)
8. Trotz der Schreie ging niemand nachsehen. (Despite the screams, nobody went to check.)

🗣️ Using 'der Schrei' Correctly

Der Schrei is used to describe a very loud, often emotionally charged utterance.

• Contexts: Emergencies, accidents, strong expressions of emotion (both positive and negative), but also figuratively (e.g., "ein Schrei nach Aufmerksamkeit" - a cry for attention).
• Distinction:
  • Der Ruf: Can also be loud, but is often more targeted, informative, or less emotional (e.g., ein Ruf nach Hilfe - a call for help, der Ruf des Namens - calling someone's name).
  • Das Gebrüll: More like a deep, loud roar, often aggressive or animalistic (e.g., Löwengebrüll - lion's roar, das Gebrüll eines Wütenden - the roar of an angry person).
  • Das Kreischen: Especially high-pitched, shrill, and often associated with panic or hysteria (a shriek).
• Idioms: "Der letzte Schrei sein" (to be the latest fashion/craze), "zum Schreien komisch sein" (to be hilariously funny).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Schrei'

Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong man (masculine = DER) letting out a loud SchREI because he stubbed his toe.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Schrei often signals high emotion (like cry). The sound 'rei' is sharp, like a scream.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for 'Schrei'

⚠️ Note: Not every loud sound is a 'Schrei'. The emotional component is often key.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Warum schreien Skelette nicht?

... Weil sie keine Lungen haben!

EN: Why don't skeletons scream?

... Because they don't have lungs! 🦴

🎶 A Poem about 'der Schrei'

DE:
Ein Laut zerreißt die Stille,
Getragen von des Windes Wille.
Mal Angst, mal Schmerz, mal pure Lust,
Entweicht er tief aus Brust.
Ein Schrei, so kurz, doch voller Macht,
Er hallt durch die dunkle Nacht.

EN:
A sound tears the silence apart,
Carried by the wind's will from the start.
Sometimes fear, sometimes pain, sometimes pure delight,
It escapes deeply from the chest's might.
A scream, so short, yet full of power,
It echoes through the dark night hour.

❓ A Little Riddle

DE:
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch bin ich oft laut.
Ich komme aus dem Munde, wenn man sich erschreckt oder freut.
Manchmal bin ich kurz, manchmal zieh ich mich lang.
Was bin ich, dieser helle Klang?

Lösung/Answer: Der Schrei

EN:
I have no voice, yet I am often loud.
I come from the mouth when one is scared or proud (happy).
Sometimes I am short, sometimes I draw out long.
What am I, this bright sound, this song?

Answer: Der Schrei (The scream/shout)

✨ Other Interesting Facts about 'Schrei'

• Art: The most famous artwork with this title is undoubtedly "Der Schrei" (Norwegian: Skrik, English: The Scream) by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Several versions of this expressionist masterpiece exist.
• Etymology: The word "Schrei" comes from the Old High German verb "scrîan" (to scream/shout), which meant a strong, loud vocalization.
• Animal Kingdom: Many animals also communicate through screams, often as warnings or when in pain.