die / der  Schwangere

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃvaŋərə/

🤰 What does "Schwangere" mean?

"Schwangere" is a nominalized adjective derived from the adjective "schwanger" (pregnant). It describes a person who is expecting a child.

The article changes depending on the biological sex of the person referred to:

• die Schwangere: Refers to a pregnant woman. This is by far the most common and standard form.
• der Schwangere: Refers to a pregnant man. This form is very rare and mostly used only in specific biological contexts (e.g., for seahorses), historically, humorously, or in fictional/mythological contexts. ⚠️ Be aware: In everyday German, "Schwangere" almost always refers to a woman.

So, it denotes a person in the state of Schwangerschaft (pregnancy).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of Schwangere

"Schwangere" is declined like an adjective following a definite article (weak declension) or without an article/after an indefinite article (strong/mixed declension – here we focus on the form with the definite article, as it's most common when nominalized).

Declension: die Schwangere (feminine)

Declension: der Schwangere (masculine)

Example Sentences

• Die Schwangere freut sich auf ihr Kind.
  (The pregnant woman is looking forward to her child.)
• Der Arzt untersucht die Schwangere.
  (The doctor examines the pregnant woman.)
• Wir gratulierten den Schwangeren zur bevorstehenden Geburt.
  (We congratulated the pregnant women on the upcoming birth.)
• In der Mythologie gibt es Geschichten über den Schwangeren (Mann).
  (In mythology, there are stories about the pregnant man.) (rare usage)

🗣️ How to use "Schwangere"?

The form "die Schwangere" is the standard, everyday term for a woman expecting a child. It can be used both formally and informally.

Examples:

• Im Wartezimmer saßen mehrere Schwangere. (Several pregnant women were sitting in the waiting room.)
• Es gibt spezielle Gymnastikkurse für Schwangere. (There are special exercise classes for pregnant women.)
• Als Schwangere hat sie besondere Rechte am Arbeitsplatz. (As a pregnant woman, she has special rights at the workplace.)

The form "der Schwangere", as mentioned, is extremely rare concerning humans and mostly limited to specific contexts:

• Biology: Das Seepferdchen-Männchen ist sozusagen der Schwangere in der Beziehung. (The male seahorse is, so to speak, the pregnant one in the relationship.)
• Humor/Irony: Sometimes used jokingly for a man with a large belly.
• Historical/Mythological: Male figures might be described as pregnant in old texts or myths.

Compared to "eine schwangere Frau" (a pregnant woman), "die Schwangere" (the pregnant one/woman) emphasizes the characteristic of being pregnant as the person's defining feature in that context.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article: Remember: Die Frau being pregnant is the norm (die Schwangere). Der Mann being pregnant is rare (der Schwangere is the exception). Think "Die = Default", "Der = Divergent".

Meaning: "Schwangere" might sound a bit like "swaying" or "heavy" (from German schwer). Imagine someone swaying slightly or feeling heavier due to the extra weight of pregnancy.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar Terms

• Schwanger (adjective): The underlying adjective. Example: Sie ist schwanger. (She is pregnant.)
• Schwangerschaft (noun): The state of being pregnant. Example: Die Schwangerschaft dauert neun Monate. (Pregnancy lasts nine months.)

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt die kleine Tochter die schwangere Mutter: „Mama, was hast du denn da im Bauch?"
Mutter: „Ein Baby, mein Schatz."
Tochter: „Und wer hat dir das da reingetan?"
Mutter: „Der Papa."
Tochter (skeptisch): „Der traut sich doch sonst nie, was reinzutun, wenn du nicht aufräumst!"

Translation:
The little daughter asks her pregnant mother: "Mommy, what do you have in your tummy?"
Mother: "A baby, sweetie."
Daughter: "And who put it in there?"
Mother: "Daddy."
Daughter (skeptical): "But he usually never dares to put anything in when you haven't tidied up!"

✍️ Poem about a Pregnant Woman

Unter dem Herzen, ein sanftes Pochen,
neun Monde lang, Wochen um Wochen.
Die Schwangere träumt, mit leisem Lächeln,
von kleinen Händen, die bald sie streicheln.
Ein Wunder wächst, Tag für Tag,
was die Zukunft wohl bringen mag?

Translation:
Beneath the heart, a gentle beat,
for nine long moons, week after week.
The pregnant one dreams, with a soft smile,
of little hands that will soon caress her.
A miracle grows, day by day,
what might the future bring her way?

❓ Riddle Time

Ich trage ein Geheimnis, tief in mir,
ein neues Leben, bald ist es hier.
Mein Körper verändert sich, rund und weit,
voller Vorfreude auf die kommende Zeit.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I carry a secret, deep inside,
a new life, soon it won't hide.
My body changes, round and wide,
full of anticipation for the coming tide.

Who am I?

Solution: die Schwangere (the pregnant woman)

💡 Other Information

Word Type: Substantiviertes Adjektiv (Nominalized Adjective) from the adjective schwanger (pregnant).

Etymology: The word "schwanger" comes from Middle High German "swanger", which originally meant "heavy", "moving with difficulty", likely referring to the physical fullness and altered mobility during pregnancy.

Cultural Note: In many cultures, Schwangere (pregnant women) are afforded special protection and respect. Numerous customs and rituals surround pregnancy and childbirth.