der
Schwager
👨👩👧👦 What exactly is a Schwager?
The term der Schwager refers to a male person who has become part of the family through marriage. It has two main meanings:
- The brother of one's spouse (husband or wife).
- The husband of one's sister or sister-in-law (Schwägerin).
German does not differentiate linguistically between these two relationships with a single specific term; the context usually clarifies who is meant. The female equivalent is die Schwägerin.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar of 'der Schwager' in Detail
Der Schwager is a masculine noun. It declines as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Schwager |
| Genitive | des | Schwagers |
| Dative | dem | Schwager |
| Accusative | den | Schwager |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schwäger |
| Genitive | der | Schwäger |
| Dative | den | Schwägern |
| Accusative | die | Schwäger |
Example Sentences
- Mein Schwager kommt am Wochenende zu Besuch. (My brother-in-law is visiting on the weekend.)
- Ich habe das Auto meines Schwagers geliehen. (I borrowed my brother-in-law's car.)
- Wir haben dem Schwager zum Geburtstag gratuliert. (We congratulated the brother-in-law on his birthday.)
- Kennst du seinen Schwager? (Do you know his brother-in-law?)
- Meine beiden Schwäger verstehen sich sehr gut. (My two brothers-in-law get along very well.)
🗣️ Everyday Usage
Der Schwager is used in everyday language to describe the family relationship. It's a common term in conversations about family and relatives.
- Context Dependency: Who exactly is meant (spouse's brother or sister's husband) usually becomes clear from the context of the conversation. Sometimes it is specified, e.g., "Mein Schwager, also der Bruder meiner Frau," (My brother-in-law, meaning my wife's brother,).
- Formal vs. Informal: The term is neither particularly formal nor informal and can be used in most situations.
- Distinction: Not to be confused with Schwiegersohn (son-in-law - daughter's husband) or Stiefbruder (step-brother - son of a stepparent).
💡 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article der: Remember that der is the masculine article. A Schwager is a male relative, so he gets der. Think: "Der Schwager is the man in this relation."
For the meaning: 'Schwager' sounds a bit like 'swagger'. Maybe your brother-in-law has a certain swagger? Or think of it as someone you are 'swagged' together with through marriage.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Paraphrases)
Antonyms / Related Terms
- Schwägerin: The female equivalent (sister of the spouse or wife of the brother).
- Blutsverwandter: (blood relative) - In contrast to the Schwager, who is related by marriage.
- Schwiegersohn: (son-in-law) - The daughter's husband.
- Schwiegervater: (father-in-law) - The spouse's father.
⚠️ Note: There are no direct, unambiguous synonyms for 'Schwager'. The meaning is specific.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der eine Freund den anderen: "Warum redest du beim Angeln immer so laut?"
Sagt der andere: "Damit die Fische hören, wie groß die waren, die meinem Schwager letzte Woche entwischt sind!"
Translation: One friend asks the other: "Why do you always talk so loud when fishing?"
The other says: "So the fish can hear how big the ones were that got away from my brother-in-law last week!"
📜 Poem about the Schwager
Der Schwager kommt, mal laut, mal leise,
gehört zur Familie, auf seine Weise.
Mal Bruder vom Schatz, mal Mann der Schwester,
manchmal Freund, manchmal Tester.
Ob Hilfe er braucht, ob Ratschlag er gibt,
ein Schwager ist jemand, den man oft lieb gewinnt.
Translation:
The brother-in-law arrives, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet,
part of the family, in his own way.
Sometimes spouse's brother, sometimes sister's husband,
sometimes friend, sometimes tester.
Whether he needs help, or gives advice,
a brother-in-law is someone you often grow fond of.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin der Bruder deiner Frau,
oder deines Mannes, ganz genau.
Auch deiner Schwester Mann kann ich sein,
wer bin ich, sag mir's – kurz und klein?
Translation:
I am the brother of your wife,
or of your husband, precisely so.
I can also be your sister's man,
who am I, tell me – short and low?
Answer: Der Schwager (The brother-in-law)
🌐 Further Information
- Etymology: The word "Schwager" comes from the Old High German word "swāgur", which had a similar meaning and traces back to an Indo-European root denoting kinship through marriage.
- Cultural Aspects: The relationship with a Schwager can vary greatly depending on the family and culture – from very close and friendly to distant.
- Diminutive: The diminutive form "Schwägerchen" is rarely used, mostly ironically or in very familiar contexts.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schwager?
The word 'Schwager' is always masculine. The correct form is der Schwager. The plural is die Schwäger.