der  Schweiß

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃvaɪs/

💧 What does "der Schweiß" mean?

Der Schweiß is the German word for sweat or perspiration. It refers to the salty, watery liquid secreted by the sweat glands of the skin, primarily to regulate body temperature, but also in response to nervousness or exertion.

The word always takes the masculine article der in German. It is mostly used in the singular as it refers to an uncountable substance. 💧

🚨 Caution: Don't confuse it with the verb schweißen, which means to weld (metal)!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Schweiß" in Detail

Der Schweiß is a masculine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it describes an uncountable liquid. A plural form (die Schweiße) technically exists but is extremely rare and mostly found in specialized or poetic contexts.

Declension (Singular)

* Use with the indefinite article is very rare, as sweat is usually uncountable.

Example Sentences

1. Nach dem Laufen war sein T-Shirt voller Schweiß.
   (After running, his t-shirt was full of sweat.)
2. Der Geruch von Schweiß lag in der Luft der Turnhalle.
   (The smell of sweat was in the air of the gym.)
3. Vor Aufregung brach ihm kalter Schweiß aus.
   (He broke out in a cold sweat from excitement/nervousness.)
4. Sie wischte sich den Schweiß von der Stirn.
   (She wiped the sweat from her forehead.)
5. Das kostet Blut, Schweiß und Tränen! (Idiom)
   (That costs blood, sweat, and tears!)

🌡️ When and how to use "der Schweiß"?

Der Schweiß is used in various contexts, mostly related to:

• Physical exertion: During sports, hard work (e.g., "Der Schweiß lief ihm in Strömen über das Gesicht." - Sweat was running down his face in streams.)
• Heat: On hot days, in a sauna (e.g., "Im Sommer ist der Schweiß unvermeidlich." - In summer, sweat is unavoidable.)
• Emotions: Nervousness, fear, excitement (often referred to as "kalter Schweiß" - cold sweat, e.g., "Vor der Prüfung stand ihm der Angstschweiß auf der Stirn." - Before the exam, beads of anxious sweat stood on his forehead.)
• Illness: Fever, night sweats.

Idioms (Redewendungen):

• Blut, Schweiß und Tränen: Blood, sweat, and tears (great effort and hardship).
• In Schweiß gebadet sein: To be bathed in sweat (to be completely sweaty).
• Etwas mit Schweiß verdienen: To earn something through sweat (to earn something through hard work).

Compared to synonyms like Transpiration (more medical/scientific) or Ausdünstung (more general, can also refer to fumes/odors), Schweiß is the most common and neutral word in everyday language.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Schweiß"

Article Mnemonic

Think of a strong MAN (masculine -> DER) wiping his brow after hard work – he produces Schweiß. Associating it with something masculine helps remember der.

Meaning Mnemonic

Schweiß sounds a bit like the English word "sh-vice" – imagine someone working hard, caught in a 'vice' of effort, producing sweat. Or, it sounds like 'shhh, ice!' - something you wish for when you have lots of Schweiß.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Schweiß

⚠️ Similar, but different words

• schweißen (verb): To weld (metal using heat). Has nothing to do with bodily fluid! (e.g., Der Handwerker muss das Rohr schweißen. - The craftsman has to weld the pipe.)
• der Schweißer: A welder (person who welds).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie an einem Marathon teil?

Weil ihnen der nötige Schweiß fehlt, um durchzuhalten! 😄🦴

(Why do skeletons never take part in a marathon? Because they lack the necessary sweat to persevere!)

📜 Poem about Sweat

Die Sonne brennt, die Luft steht still,
auf meiner Haut ein feuchter Drill.
Ob Arbeit, Sport, ob Nervenkitzel –
der Schweiß, er rinnt, kein fauler Fitzel.
Er kühlt den Leib, zeigt Müh' und Plag',
an einem heißen Sommertag.

(The sun burns, the air stands still,
on my skin a damp drill.
Whether work, sport, or thrill –
the sweat, it flows, no lazy trifle.
It cools the body, shows toil and strain,
on a hot summer's day.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin flüssig, aber kein Getränk.
Ich komme bei Hitze und wenn man sich schwenkt.
Manchmal bin ich kalt, wenn die Angst dich plagt.
Wer bin ich, der vom Körper ragt?

(I am liquid, but not a drink.
I come with heat and when you move around.
Sometimes I am cold when fear plagues you.
Who am I, emerging from the body?)

Solution: der Schweiß (sweat)

🧩 Additional Info

Word Formation

The noun der Schweiß is closely related to the verb schwitzen (to sweat). It belongs to an old word family related to moisture and the emission of liquid.

Cultural Notes

Although sweating (das Schwitzen) is a natural bodily function, visible Schweiß is often considered undesirable in many social situations in Germany and can be associated with poor hygiene or nervousness. At the same time, 'honest sweat' (ehrlicher Schweiß) is seen as a sign of hard work and effort.