die  Schießerei

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌʃiːsəˈʁaɪ̯/

🔫 What Exactly is a 'Schießerei'?

Die Schießerei (noun, feminine) refers to an incident where firearms are discharged, often between multiple people or groups. It usually describes a violent confrontation or an attack involving the use of guns.

The term generally implies a chaotic, dangerous, and often illegal situation. It is frequently used in news reports about crime or armed conflicts.

⚠️ Attention: A Schießerei is not the same as planned target practice (Schießtraining) or sport shooting (Sportschießen). The term specifically refers to an (often uncontrolled) exchange of gunfire.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar Behind 'die Schießerei' 🧐

The word 'Schießerei' is a feminine noun. The definite article is always 'die'.

Example Sentences

1. Die Polizei untersucht die Schießerei vor der Bank.
   (The police are investigating the shootout in front of the bank.)
2. Bei der nächtlichen Schießerei gab es mehrere Verletzte.
   (There were several injured people in the nighttime shootout.)
3. Zeugen berichteten von einer heftigen Schießerei zwischen rivalisierenden Banden.
   (Witnesses reported a heavy shootout between rival gangs.)
4. Leider kommt es in dieser Gegend immer wieder zu Schießereien.
   (Unfortunately, shootouts repeatedly occur in this area.)

When to Use 'Schießerei'

The term die Schießerei is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Crime: Describing confrontations between criminals, gang wars, or robberies involving gunfire.
• Police Operations: Reports about firefights between police and suspects.
• Armed Conflicts: Describing smaller skirmishes or uncontrolled exchanges of fire in war or crisis zones (although more specific terms like 'Gefecht' (battle) or 'Feuergefecht' (firefight) are also common here).
• News Media: Very common in reporting on acts of violence.

The word carries a strong negative connotation and is associated with danger, violence, and often illegal acts.

Distinction: A 'Schützenfest' is a traditional fair often involving shooting competitions, but in a controlled, sporting context. A 'Jagd' (hunt) also involves shooting, but at animals and according to specific rules. A 'Schießübung' is target practice. A 'Schießerei' is typically a hostile, uncontrolled exchange of fire between people.

Memory Aids for 'die Schießerei' 🧠

Article 'die': Feminine nouns ending in '-ei' are very often feminine (e.g., die Bäckerei - bakery, die Metzgerei - butcher shop, die Streiterei - argument). You can think: A Schießerei often ends with the Polizei (also feminine: die Polizei). Both end in '-ei'.

Meaning: Imagine a chaotic scene ('ei, ei, ei!') with lots of 'shooting' (schießen). The '-erei' suffix often indicates a messy or negative activity. So, 'schießen' + '-erei' = chaotic shooting = Schießerei (shootout).

Words Around 'Schießerei' ↔️

Similar but Different Terms

• Schießstand: (Shooting range) Place for target practice.
• Schützenfest: (Marksmen's festival) Traditional festival with shooting competitions.
• Attentat: (Assassination, attack) Targeted attack, which might involve firearms but is more specific.

A Little Joke on the Side... 😄

German: Treffen sich zwei Jäger. Fragt der eine: "Du, sag mal, war das gestern eine Schießerei bei dir im Wald oder nur dein Husten?"

English: Two hunters meet. One asks: "Hey, tell me, was that a shootout in your woods yesterday, or just your cough?"

A Poem About a 'Schießerei' ✍️

German:
Sirenen heulen durch die Nacht,
Ein Knall hat jäh die Ruh' gebracht.
Die Fenster zittern, Angst erwacht,
Was ist gescheh'n in dunkler Pracht?

Man hört von einer Schießerei,
Von Kugeln schnell und Blei,
Die Polizei ist schon dabei,
Und hofft, der Spuk ist bald vorbei.

English Translation:
Sirens wail throughout the night,
A bang suddenly broke the quiet plight.
Windows tremble, fear takes flight,
What happened in the dark's dim light?

One hears about a shootout's sound,
Of bullets swift and lead profound,
The police are already around,
Hoping the horror will soon unwound.

Who Am I? A 'Schießerei' Riddle 🤔

German:
Ich bin laut und gefährlich,
Mit Waffen werd' ich ehrlich
Zwischen Feinden ausgetragen,
Kann Leben kosten, keine Fragen.
Die Polizei kommt oft im Lauf,
Was bin ich wohl? Finde es 'raus!

English:
I am loud and dangerous,
With weapons, quite precarious,
Fought between foes, you see,
Can cost lives, undoubtedly.
The police often arrive on the scene,
What am I? What could I mean?

Solution: Die Schießerei (the shootout)

Interesting Facts about 'Schießerei' 💡

Word Composition:

The word 'Schießerei' is derived from the verb 'schießen' (to shoot). The suffix '-ei' is often used in German to form nouns that:

• describe an activity or process (often repeated or intensified): die Lauferei (constant running around), die Fragerei (constant questioning).
• denote a place where something happens: die Bäckerei (bakery), die Bücherei (library).
• describe a negative or chaotic action/situation: die Streiterei (argument, quarrel), die Sauerei (mess, dirty business), die Schießerei.

In the case of 'Schießerei', the meaning of a chaotic, often negative action predominates.

Cultural Context: The term is heavily associated with news about crime and violence and usually evokes negative associations.