der
Swing
🎶 What exactly is "der Swing"?
In German, the word der Swing primarily refers to two closely related concepts:
- A music genre: A style of Jazz, particularly popular in the 1930s and 1940s, often performed by Big Bands. It's characterized by its danceable rhythm and improvisation. Famous artists include Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.
- A dance style: Various partner dances performed to swing music, such as Lindy Hop, Charleston, or Shag. These dances are often energetic and can include acrobatic elements.
It's a loanword from English ('swing'), which aptly reflects its meaning in the musical and dance context – it’s about rhythm, movement, and 'momentum' (Schwung). 🕺💃
🚨 Attention: While the German word 'der Schwung' has a similar meaning (élan, momentum, energy), it is not used for the music genre or dance style. You wouldn't say Ich höre gerne Schwungmusik
, but rather Ich höre gerne Swing
(I like listening to Swing).
🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Swing'
Der Swing is a masculine noun. It's often used without an article when referring to the music genre or dance in general (e.g., Er tanzt Swing.
- He dances Swing.). When used more specifically or as a countable noun (which is rare), it requires an article and is declined as follows:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Swing | ein Swing |
| Genitive | des Swings | eines Swings |
| Dative | dem Swing | einem Swing |
| Accusative | den Swing | einen Swing |
Plural
The plural form (die Swings) is very rare and would typically refer to different variations or perhaps individual dance events. Usually, the singular form is used.
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Swings |
| Genitive | der Swings |
| Dative | den Swings |
| Accusative | die Swings |
Example Sentences
- Wir lernen gerade die Grundlagen des Swings. (We are currently learning the basics of Swing.)
- Sie spielt Saxophon in einer Swing-Band. (She plays saxophone in a Swing band.)
- Auf der Party wurde viel Swing getanzt. (A lot of Swing was danced at the party.)
- Der Swing erlebte in den 90ern ein Revival. (Swing experienced a revival in the 90s.)
💡 Everyday Usage
Der Swing is used almost exclusively in the context of music and dance.
- Music: People talk about Swing-Musik (Swing music), the Swing-Ära (Swing era), Swing-Bands, or simply Swing as the genre.
Example:Meine Großeltern haben sich beim Swing kennengelernt.
(My grandparents met while dancing Swing.) - Dance: You can Swing tanzen (dance Swing), attend a Swing-Kurs (Swing class), or go to a Swing-Party.
Example:Jeden Mittwochabend gehen wir zum Swing tanzen.
(Every Wednesday evening, we go Swing dancing.)
The word carries a positive, often nostalgic connotation, associated with Lebensfreude (joy of life), rhythm, and social interaction.
Compared to 'Jazz', 'Swing' is more specific; Swing is a style within Jazz. Compared to 'Rock'n'Roll' (another dance/music style), Swing belongs to an earlier era and has a different rhythm and instrumentation.
🧠 Mnemonics
Article Mnemonic: Think of the energetic man (der Mann = masculine) who dances with a lot of *Schwung* (momentum). Der Swing gets *him* moving. 'Der' feels strong and active, like Swing music.
Meaning Mnemonic: The English word 'swing' itself helps! Imagine the music and the dancers literally swinging back and forth on the dance floor.
🔄 Synonyms & Related Terms
Similar Terms / Related Concepts
- Jazz: The broader genre; der Swing is a subgenre.
- Big Band Musik: Often used synonymously with Swing, as many swing pieces were played by big bands.
- Lindy Hop / Charleston: Specific types of swing dances.
- Schwung / Rhythmus: (Momentum / Rhythm) Describe characteristics of Swing but are not direct synonyms for the style itself.
⚠️ Be careful: 'Schwung' is not a synonym for the music genre or dance style 'Swing' in German.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat der Kontrabassist beim Swing-Konzert so gute Laune?
Weil er immer den richtigen Ton trifft und dabei so richtig 'abzupfen' kann! 😉🎻
English Translation: Why is the double bass player in such a good mood at the Swing concert?
Because he always hits the right note and gets to really 'pluck away' happily! 😉🎻 (Note: 'abzupfen' literally means 'to pluck off', but here implies plucking the strings with gusto.)
📜 A Little Poem
German:
Der Swing, er kommt mit Saus und Braus,
Die Big Band spielt, die Füße raus!
Im Rhythmus schwingt das Tanzpaar froh,
Mal schnell, mal sanft, mal ebenso
Mit Sprung und Wurf, voll Energie,
Das ist die Swing-Melodie!
English Translation:
The Swing, it comes with vim and zest,
The Big Band plays, feet leave the nest!
In rhythm swings the happy pair,
Sometimes fast, sometimes with care,
With jump and throw, full of energy,
That is the Swing melody!
🧩 Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin ein Klang, ich bin ein Tanz,
Bring' Rhythmus, Freude, Glanz.
Aus Amerika kam ich her,
Mit Big Bands fiel das Tanzen leicht, nicht schwer.
Mal wild, mal sanft, stets voller Leben,
Kannst du mir meinen Namen geben?
Lösung: Der Swing
English Translation:
I am a sound, I am a dance,
I bring rhythm, joy, a glance.
From America, I came along,
With Big Bands, dancing wasn't hard or wrong.
Sometimes wild, sometimes gentle, always full of life's gleam,
Can you tell me my name, my theme?
Solution: Swing (der Swing)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The word 'Swing' was adopted directly from English. The English verb 'to swing' fits perfectly with the rhythmic character of the music and the swinging movements of the dance.
Cultural Significance: The Swing-Ära (Swing Era, approx. 1935-1945) was not only musically formative but also socially significant. It offered a form of entertainment and escapism during economically challenging times (Great Depression) and the war.
Revival: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a notable Neo-Swing revival, which brought the music and dance back into popularity.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Swing?
The German word for the music genre and dance style is masculine: der Swing. It is declined like other masculine nouns (genitive: des Swings) but is often used without an article in general contexts.