der  Schwan

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃvaːn/

🦢 What does "der Schwan" mean?

Der Schwan (noun, masculine) refers to a large, usually white water bird from the duck family (Entenvögel), known for its long neck and elegant appearance. In English: swan.

There is only this one article for the word in the sense of the bird. Confusion is unlikely here.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Der Schwan

The noun "Schwan" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Ein Schwan schwimmt elegant auf dem See. (A swan swims elegantly on the lake.)
2. Das Gefieder des Schwans ist strahlend weiß. (The swan's plumage is brilliant white.)
3. Wir gaben dem Schwan etwas Brot (🚨 Caution: often not good for the animals!). (We gave the swan some bread.)
4. Ich beobachte den Schwan schon eine Weile. (I've been watching the swan for a while.)
5. Im Winter ziehen die Schwäne oft nach Süden. (In winter, the swans often migrate south.)

🗣️ How to use "Schwan"

"Der Schwan" is primarily used to refer to the well-known water bird.

• Biology & Nature: In texts about animals, ecosystems of lakes and rivers.
• Literature & Art: The swan is a common motif in fairy tales (e.g., "Das hässliche Entlein" - The Ugly Duckling), ballets ("Schwanensee" - Swan Lake), and poems, often as a symbol of beauty, purity, or transformation.
• Idioms: The term "Schwanengesang" (swan song) refers to a person's final work or significant achievement before their death or retirement.

Confusion with other words is rare. The context (Wasser, Vogel, Eleganz - water, bird, elegance) usually makes the meaning clear.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Schwan"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der elegant Mister Schwan, proudly gliding across the lake. The "Mister" helps remember "der" (masculine).

Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Schwan" sounds a bit like the English word "swan", which makes it relatively easy to remember. You can also link it to German "schwimmen" (to swim).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but misleading words

• Schwamm (der): Sounds similar, but means sponge (a porous cleaning tool or a marine organism).

😂 A little Swan Joke

Warum haben Schwäne so lange Hälse?

Damit sie nicht ertrinken, wenn der Wasserstand steigt! 😄

(Why do swans have such long necks? - So they don't drown when the water level rises!)

📜 A Swan Poem

Der Schwan, so weiß, auf blauem See,
gleitet dahin, tut niemand weh.
Sein Hals gebogen, stolz und lang,
klingt leise nur sein Wasserklang.
Ein Bild der Anmut, still und rein,
so möcht' man oft im Leben sein.

(The swan, so white, on blue lake bright,
glides along, harms no one's sight.
Its neck is bent, proud and long,
softly sounds its water song.
A picture of grace, quiet and pure,
so one often wishes life to endure.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich trage Weiß auf stolzem Kiel,
auf Wasser gleiten ist mein Ziel.
Mein Hals ist lang, mein Ruf bekannt,
im Märchen oft als hässlich verkannt.

Wer bin ich?

(I wear white on a proud keel,
Gliding on water is my ideal.
My neck is long, my call is known,
In fairy tales often misjudged when grown.

Who am I?)

Solution: Der Schwan (The Swan)

✨ Other Info about the Schwan

• Symbolism: Swans often symbolize light, grace, purity, love, and loyalty (as they often form lifelong partnerships - lebenslange Partnerschaften).
• Mythology: In many cultures, swans play a role in myths and legends, sometimes as transformed humans or messengers of the gods.
• The Ugly Duckling: The famous fairy tale ("Das hässliche Entlein") by Hans Christian Andersen is about a young swan growing up among ducks, ridiculed for its appearance before maturing into its true, beautiful form.
• Word Composition: The origin of the word Schwan is Old Germanic and related to "klingen" or "tönen" (to sound, to resonate), compare Singschwan (whooper swan).