die  Schlange

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃlaŋə/

🐍 What exactly is a Schlange?

The German word die Schlange has two main meanings:

• Animal 🐍: A long, legless reptile. Example: Im Terrarium lebt eine harmlose Schlange. (A harmless snake lives in the terrarium.)
• Queue / Line 🧍🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️: A line of people or vehicles waiting for something. Example: An der Kasse bildete sich eine lange Schlange. (A long queue formed at the checkout.)

Both meanings use the article die because it's a feminine noun in German. There are no exceptions or common mistakes regarding the article here.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Schlange" in Detail

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

Example Sentences

1. As animal: Die Schlange schlängelte sich lautlos durch das Gras.
   (The snake slithered silently through the grass.)
2. As queue: Wir mussten eine halbe Stunde in der Schlange vor dem Kino warten.
   (We had to wait in the queue in front of the cinema for half an hour.)
3. Genitive: Das Gift der Schlange ist gefährlich.
   (The snake's venom is dangerous.)
4. Dative Plural: Der Dompteur arbeitet mit gefährlichen Schlangen.
   (The animal tamer works with dangerous snakes.)
5. Accusative Plural: Er sah lange Schlangen vor allen Geschäften.
   (He saw long queues in front of all the shops.)

💬 How to use "die Schlange"?

The use of die Schlange clearly depends on the context:

• Animal: Used in biological, zoological, or everyday conversations about animals. Also used metaphorically for treacherous people ("Er ist eine falsche Schlange." - "He is a treacherous snake.").
• Queue: Used in everyday life when talking about waiting (shopping, at bus stops, at events, etc.). The phrase "Schlange stehen" (to stand in line/queue) is very common.

Confusion is rare, as the context usually makes the meaning clear. A Warteschlange (queue) is sometimes simply called a Reihe (row, line), but Schlange often emphasizes the length or slow progress.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Schlange"

Article Mnemonic: Think of snakes often being described as elegant or seductive (traditionally feminine attributes in old stories) – hence die Schlange. Or picture the long line (die Schlange) winding towards the checkout (die Kasse) – both feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic: A queue (Schlange) is often long and winding, like a snake 🐍. Imagine the people in the line moving forward slowly, like a slithering animal.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Misleading Words

• die Schlinge: A loop of rope, often a snare or noose. Sounds similar but means something different.
• schlagen (verb): To hit someone physically or to beat something. Etymologically unrelated to Schlange.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum tragen Schlangen keine Socken?
(Why don't snakes wear socks?)

Weil sie keine Füße haben und es ewig dauern würde, sie anzuziehen! 😄
(Because they don't have feet and it would take forever to put them on!)

📜 Poem about the Schlange

Die Schlange, leis' im Grase,
(The snake, quiet in the grass,)
Windet sich auf ihrer Straße.
(Winds itself along its path.)
Ob Tier im Wald, ob Reihe lang,
(Whether animal in woods, or line so long,)
Sie füllt die Zeit, mal kurz, mal bang.
(It fills the time, sometimes short, sometimes with pang.)

An Kassen steh'n wir, eine Schlange,
(At checkouts we stand, a queue,)
Warten geduldig, manche bange.
(Waiting patiently, some anxious too.)
Doch auch das Tier, so schön und glatt,
(But also the animal, so sleek and neat,)
Ist die Schlange, in Stadt und Statt.
(Is the snake, in city and street.)

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keine Beine, doch bewege mich fort.
(I have no legs, yet I move forth.)
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch sorge für Wartezeit an manchem Ort.
(I have no voice, yet cause waiting time in many a place.)
Mal bin ich im Dschungel, mal im Supermarkt zu seh'n.
(Sometimes seen in the jungle, sometimes in the supermarket space.)
Wer bin ich, sag's geschwind, dann darfst du weitergeh'n?
(Who am I? Say it fast, then you may continue on your pace.)

Solution: die Schlange (the snake / the queue)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Schlange" derives from the Old High German "slango", referring to slithering or crawling.
• Cultural Significance: The snake holds symbolic meaning in many cultures, often ambivalent: representing wisdom, healing (Rod of Asclepius), but also temptation (Bible) and danger.
• Idiom: "Eine Schlange am Busen nähren" (literally: "to nurse a snake at one's bosom") means to help someone who later proves ungrateful or harmful.