die  Schar

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃaːɐ̯/

📖 What does 'die Schar' mean?

Die Schar (feminine noun) refers to a large, often unspecified or somewhat disorganized group or crowd of living beings, typically people or animals, who have gathered or appear together.

• 🚶‍♀️ A group of people: Eine Schar Neugieriger versammelte sich am Unfallort. (A crowd of curious onlookers gathered at the scene of the accident.)
• 🐦 A group of animals (especially birds): Eine Schar Spatzen pickte auf dem Boden. (A flock of sparrows was pecking on the ground.)
• ⚔️ Historically or in elevated language: A group of warriors or a division of an army (Heerschar): Eine tapfere Schar verteidigte die Burg. (A brave troop defended the castle.)

Compared to 'Gruppe' (group), 'Schar' can imply a larger number or a less structured assembly.

📊 Grammar and Declension of 'die Schar'

Die Schar is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die Kinder bildeten eine fröhliche Schar im Park.
   (The children formed a cheerful group/crowd in the park.)
2. Der Bauer beobachtete die Schar der Krähen auf seinem Feld.
   (The farmer watched the flock of crows in his field.)
3. In alten Geschichten wird oft von Scharen mutiger Helden erzählt.
   (Old stories often tell of troops/bands of brave heroes.)
4. Wir sahen Scharen von Touristen durch die Altstadt ziehen.
   (We saw crowds/droves of tourists moving through the old town.)

🗣️ How to use 'Schar'?

Die Schar is used to describe a gathering of living beings. The context often determines the more precise meaning:

• Everyday use: Often for groups of children (Kinderschar), birds (Vogelschar), or gatherings of people (eine Schar von Zuschauern - a crowd of spectators). It can suggest a slightly disordered or spontaneous group.
• Elevated/Historical language: In the context of military or history as Heerschar (host, army) or simply Schar for a troop or detachment.
• Figurative use: Sometimes used for a large quantity of things, but less common than for living beings (e.g., eine Schar von Problemen - a host of problems - rather unusual).

Distinction from similar words:

• Gruppe: More neutral, can be more structured.
• Menge: Often larger, more anonymous, more densely packed than a Schar.
• Horde: Usually has negative connotations (wild, unruly).
• Schwarm: Typical for insects and fish, sometimes also birds (can overlap with Schar for birds).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Schar'

Article Mnemonic: Remember "diE Schar" is femininE, like thE largE assembly shE leads.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of birds or people that share a space, gathering together (sich zusammenscharen) to form a Schar (flock/crowd).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: Not every synonym fits every context. The choice depends on the type of group and the desired connotation.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Treffen sich zwei Vögel. Sagt der eine: "Fliegen wir morgen mit der ganzen Schar nach Süden?" Sagt der andere: "Nee, ich bleibe hier. Ich habe gehört, die Wettervorhersage für den Süden ist ziemlich... krähtzlich!"

English: Two birds meet. One says: "Are we flying south with the whole flock (Schar) tomorrow?" The other says: "Nah, I'm staying here. I heard the weather forecast for the south is pretty... awful!" (The German word krähtzlich is a pun on grässlich (awful/horrible) and krähen (to caw).)

📜 Poem about 'die Schar'

German:
Am Himmel zieht die Vogelschar,
ein dunkles Band, so wunderbar.
Am Boden drängt sich dicht und laut,
'ne Menschenschar, die neugierig schaut.
Ob Tier, ob Mensch, ist's einerlei,
die Schar ist viele, nicht nur zwei.

English:
In the sky, the flock of birds (Vogelschar) moves,
a dark ribbon, so wonderful.
On the ground, densely and loudly presses,
a crowd of people (Menschenschar), curiously watching.
Whether animal or human, it's all the same,
the Schar is many, not just two.

🧩 Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Haufen, doch kein Müll,
bin viele Stimmen, selten still.
Mal Vögel hoch am Firmament,
mal Menschen, die man Menge nennt.
Manchmal marschier' ich auch im Krieg,
doch einzeln hab' ich keinen Sieg.

Was bin ich?
(Lösung: die Schar)

English:
I am a bunch, but not trash,
I am many voices, seldom hushed.
Sometimes birds high in the sky,
sometimes people called a crowd nearby.
Sometimes I march in war's array,
but singly, I win no fray.

What am I?
(Answer: die Schar)

ℹ️ More Information

Etymology: The word 'Schar' comes from the Old High German word 'scara', which meant “detachment (of an army), troop, crowd”. It is related to the verb 'scheren' in the sense of “to divide, to allot”.

Compound words (Wortbildungen):

• Kinderschar: A group of children.
• Vogelschar: A flock of birds.
• Heerschar: A (often large) group of soldiers, a host, an army (rather historical/elevated).
• Jüngerschar: The group of disciples or followers of a person (e.g., Jesus').