der  Schwanz

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃvants/

🐾 What does "der Schwanz" mean?

The German word der Schwanz primarily has two main meanings:

1. Animal's Tail: The most common and neutral meaning is the rear, often mobile appendage on the body of many animals (e.g., dogs, cats, horses, fish). Example: Der Hund wedelt mit dem Schwanz. (The dog wags its tail.)
2. Vulgar for Penis: 🚨 In colloquial German, "Schwanz" is very often used vulgarly and derogatorily for the male sexual organ. This meaning is not standard language and should absolutely be avoided in formal contexts. Example (vulgar): Er prahlte mit seinem Schwanz. (He boasted about his dick.)

⚠️ Using the second meaning can easily be perceived as offensive or inappropriate.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Schwanz

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

📝 Example Sentences

• Der lange Schwanz des Affen hilft ihm beim Klettern. (The monkey's long tail helps it climb.)
• Die Katze putzt ihren Schwanz. (The cat cleans its tail.)
• Pass auf, was du sagst, das Wort Schwanz kann vulgär sein. (Be careful what you say, the word 'Schwanz' can be vulgar.)
• Im Genitiv heißt es oft 'des Schwanzes'. (In the genitive case, it's often 'des Schwanzes'.)

🗣️ How to use "Schwanz"?

Usage depends heavily on the intended meaning:

• Animal Kingdom: Absolutely neutral and common when talking about animals. (Der Pfau schlägt ein Rad mit seinem prächtigen Schwanz. - The peacock fans its magnificent tail.)
• Vulgar Language: Only in very informal, often crude contexts among close acquaintances or with offensive intent. It's comparable to English slang terms for penis. 🚨 High risk of causing offense!
• Idioms: There are several fixed expressions, e.g.:
  • Den Schwanz einziehen (lit. 'to pull in the tail'): To get scared, to back down. (Originally referring to dogs)
  • Ein Rattenschwanz an Problemen (lit. 'a rat's tail of problems'): A long series of problems or tasks.

Comparison: For the male member, "Penis" (medical/neutral) or "Glied" (neutral/slightly elevated) are the standard alternatives in German.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Schwanz"

Article Mnemonic

Think of der Hund (the dog) or der Löwe (the lion). These masculine animals have a Schwanz. Der animal has den Schwanz (in Accusative).

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine a dog happily wagging its Schwanz. The sound "schwänz-" sounds a bit like the English word "swing" – the tail swings back and forth. For the vulgar meaning: Remember it's a taboo word, like a 🚨 warning sign.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Similar Words

• Schwank (der): A short, funny story or play. Sounds similar, but completely different meaning.
• Schwan (der): A swan (large water bird).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Dackel so kurze Beine und einen langen Körper?
(Why does the dachshund have such short legs and a long body?)

Damit er beim Gassigehen überall schnüffeln kann, ohne mit dem Schwanz den Boden zu wischen! 😉
(So that it can sniff everywhere during walks without wiping the floor with its tail!)

✒️ Poem about the Schwanz

Der Kater schleicht, ganz leis und sacht,
(The tomcat creeps, silent and soft,)
sein Schwanz zuckt in der dunklen Nacht.
(its tail twitches in the dark night.)
Ein Wedeln hier, ein Zucken da,
(A wag here, a twitch there,)
was die Maus wohl macht, ist sonnenklar.
(what the mouse is doing is crystal clear.)
Doch Vorsicht Freund, beim Wortgebrauch,
(But beware friend, in word usage,)
denn anders klingt's aus derbem Bauch!
(for it sounds different from a crude belly!)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich hänge hinten dran bei vielen,
(I hang on the back of many,)
helfe Tieren bei den Spielen.
(help animals in their games.)
Mal buschig, kurz, mal lang und fein,
(Sometimes bushy, short, sometimes long and fine,)
manchmal zieh'n sie mich auch ein.
(sometimes they also pull me in.)
Doch sag mich nicht in jedem Ton,
(But don't say me in every tone,)
sonst klingt es schnell nach Spott und Hohn.
(or it quickly sounds like mockery and scorn.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Solution: Der Schwanz (The tail)

🧩 Further Information

• Etymology: The word "Schwanz" is related to the verb "schwingen" (to swing), hinting at the movement of an animal's tail.
• Compounds: There are many compound words, e.g.: Schwanzfeder (tail feather), Schwanzflosse (tail fin), Rattenschwanz (rat's tail; also a hairstyle or a long sequence of things), Schwanzlurch (caudate amphibian), Schwanzspitze (tail tip).
• Culturally: In many cultures, the tail symbolizes different things, from strength and agility to submission (den Schwanz einziehen - 'to pull in the tail').