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B1 noun #3,500 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

der Schwanz

Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces der Schwanz en 30 secondes

Explication der Schwanz in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'der Schwanz' as a basic part of an animal's body. Think of it like 'head', 'leg', or 'ear'. You will mostly use it to talk about pets like dogs and cats. For example, you can say 'Der Hund hat einen Schwanz' (The dog has a tail). It is a masculine noun (der), so you use 'einen' in the accusative case. Don't worry about complex idioms yet; just focus on identifying it on an animal.

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At the A2 level, you start to describe actions. You should learn the verb 'wedeln' (to wag), which is almost always used with 'mit dem Schwanz'. You might also use adjectives to describe the tail, like 'lang' (long) or 'kurz' (short). You will also encounter the plural form 'die Schwänze'. You might see this word in simple children's stories or when describing animals at the zoo. Remember: 'Der Affe hängt am Schwanz' (The monkey hangs by its tail).

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At the B1 level, you should be aware of the different types of tails and the specific word 'Schweif' for horses. You should also start using the word in common compound nouns like 'Pferdeschwanz' (ponytail). You are now expected to use the correct case after prepositions, such as 'hinter dem Schwanz' (behind the tail). You should also be aware that 'Schwanz' can be a vulgar word, so you know to use it carefully and only for animals in polite conversation.

At the B2 level, you can use idiomatic expressions like 'den Schwanz einziehen' (to chicken out) or 'einen Rattenschwanz an Problemen' (a long chain of problems). You understand the nuance between 'Schwanz' and more specific hunting terms like 'Lunte' or 'Blume', even if you don't use them every day. You can describe biological functions of a tail in more detail, using terms like 'Gleichgewicht' (balance) or 'Steuerung' (steering/locomotion).

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At the C1 level, you recognize 'Schwanz' in various technical and literary contexts. You might encounter it in statistics ('Verteilungsschwanz') or in older literature where it might be used more freely. You are comfortable with the genitive case ('die Länge des Schwanzes') and can use the word in complex relative clauses. You understand the historical etymology and how the word has evolved in the Germanic language family.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the word, including its most obscure uses in dialects or specialized scientific fields (like ichthyology or entomology). You can appreciate puns or wordplay involving the word's multiple meanings without confusion. You can discuss the cultural significance of tails in mythology (like the devil's tail) and use the word with perfect stylistic appropriateness in any register, from vulgar slang to academic discourse.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

der Schwanz en 30 secondes

Der Schwanz means 'tail' and is used for animals like dogs, cats, and lions.
It is a masculine noun: der Schwanz, plural die Schwänze.
It has a common vulgar meaning (penis), so use it carefully in non-animal contexts.
Specific terms like 'Schweif' (horse) or 'Lunte' (fox) exist for certain animals.

The German noun der Schwanz primarily refers to the tail of an animal. It is a fundamental piece of anatomical vocabulary that every German learner encounters early on, particularly when describing pets or wildlife. While the concept is straightforward—a flexible appendage at the rear of a vertebrate's body—the usage in German carries specific nuances depending on the species of the animal and the context of the conversation. In a biological sense, the Schwanz serves various functions such as balance, communication, and locomotion. For instance, a squirrel uses its bushy tail for balance while leaping between branches, whereas a dog uses its tail to signal emotional states like joy, submission, or aggression.

Anatomical Precision: In German, while Schwanz is the general term, hunters and biologists often use specific terms for different animals. For example, a fox's tail is called a Lunte, and a rabbit's tail is a Blume. However, in everyday conversation, Schwanz is the standard word for almost any animal tail.

Der Hund wedelt aufgeregt mit seinem Schwanz, wenn sein Besitzer nach Hause kommt.

Beyond the literal animal tail, the word is used in various technical and metaphorical contexts. In mathematics or statistics, one might hear about the Verteilungsschwanz (distribution tail). In astronomy, a comet has a Kometenschwanz, though the more poetic and common term is Schweif. It is crucial to note that Schwanz is also a very common vulgar slang term for the male anatomy (penis). Because of this, learners should be careful to use the word strictly in animal or technical contexts to avoid unintended double entendres or embarrassment. In polite society, if you are talking about a dog, a cat, or a lion, saying Schwanz is perfectly normal and expected.

Idiomatic Usage: The word appears in several idioms. To 'pull in the tail' (den Schwanz einziehen) means to back down or show cowardice. To 'grab the devil by the tail' (den Teufel beim Schwanz fassen) implies dealing with a difficult situation or being in financial distress.

Nach der Niederlage zog die Mannschaft metaphorisch den Schwanz ein und verließ das Feld.

In the culinary world, Ochsenschwanz (oxtail) is a well-known ingredient for soups and stews. Here, the word is used purely descriptively and is devoid of any slang connotation. Understanding the boundary between literal animal description and potential vulgarity is key for a B1 learner. Generally, if an animal is the subject of the sentence, you are on safe ground. The plural form is die Schwänze, which follows the standard pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant by adding -e and an umlaut.

Using der Schwanz correctly requires attention to case and gender, as it is a masculine noun. In the nominative, it is der Schwanz; in the accusative, den Schwanz; in the dative, dem Schwanz; and in the genitive, des Schwanzes. Because it is a concrete noun, it often appears with possessive pronouns like sein (his/its) or ihr (her/their), especially when talking about pets.

Grammatical Placement: When describing an action involving a tail, German often uses the dative case with the preposition mit (with). For example: Der Hund wedelt mit dem Schwanz. (The dog wags [with] its tail). Note that in English, we omit 'with', but in German, it is grammatically required for the verb wedeln.

Die Katze peitscht nervös mit ihrem Schwanz hin und her.

Adjectives frequently modify Schwanz to provide more detail. Common descriptors include lang (long), kurz (short), buschig (bushy), ringelig (curly), or stumpf (stubby). When using these adjectives, remember to apply the correct adjective endings based on the article and case. For instance, ein langer Schwanz (a long tail) or der lange Schwanz (the long tail). In compound nouns, Schwanz often acts as the second element, determining the gender of the entire word. Examples include Pferdeschwanz (ponytail—yes, used for hair too!), Hundeschwanz, and Teufelsschwanz.

The Dative Plural: When talking about multiple tails in the dative case, remember the extra -n: den Schwänzen. Example: 'Man erkennt die Tiere an ihren Schwänzen.'

In more advanced syntax, you might see Schwanz used in passive constructions or as part of a relative clause. For example: Das Krokodil, dessen Schwanz sehr kräftig ist, schwimmt schnell. (The crocodile, whose tail is very powerful, swims fast). This demonstrates the use of the genitive relative pronoun dessen. Furthermore, the word can be used in the diminutive form Schwänzchen to describe a small tail, which also changes the gender to neuter (das Schwänzchen).

Das kleine Häschen hat ein kurzes, weißes Schwänzchen.

You will encounter der Schwanz in a variety of real-world settings in German-speaking countries. One of the most common places is at a veterinarian's office or when discussing pets with neighbors. Germans are generally very fond of their dogs (Hunde) and cats (Katzen), and describing their behavior often involves mentioning their tails. If a dog is happy, someone might say, 'Guck mal, wie er mit dem Schwanz wedelt!'. In a more clinical or biological setting, such as a visit to the zoo (der Zoo) or watching a nature documentary (Tierdokumentation), the word is used to explain animal anatomy and survival strategies.

Children's Literature and Fables: In German fairy tales and fables, animals often have personified traits. The fox (Reineke Fuchs) or the wolf (Isegrim) are frequently described by their physical features, including their tails. You'll find the word in classics by the Brothers Grimm or in modern children's books like 'Der Grüffelo'.

In der Fabel verlor der Fuchs seinen Schwanz in einer Falle.

Another frequent setting is the kitchen or a traditional German restaurant. Ochsenschwanzsuppe (oxtail soup) is a classic dish that you will see on many menus, especially in the winter. It is a hearty, dark soup that is considered a delicacy in some regions. When ordering this, there is no need to feel awkward; it is a standard culinary term. Additionally, in hair salons, you will hear the word Pferdeschwanz. If you want your hair tied back, you might ask, 'Können Sie mir einen Pferdeschwanz machen?'

In a more figurative sense, you might hear the word in news reports or discussions about queues or lines of people, though Schlange (snake) is more common for a 'line'. However, the expression Rattenschwanz (rat's tail) is frequently used in business and politics to describe a long, unpleasant chain of consequences. For example, 'Diese Entscheidung zieht einen ganzen Rattenschwanz an Problemen nach sich.' (This decision entails a whole 'rat's tail' of problems). This is a very common B2/C1 level idiom that adds color to your German.

Rural and Farming Contexts: On a farm (Bauernhof), farmers talk about the tails of cows, pigs, and sheep. In these environments, the word is purely practical and relates to the health and hygiene of the livestock.

The most significant mistake a learner can make with der Schwanz is ignoring its vulgar secondary meaning. While in English 'tail' can sometimes be used playfully or colloquially for a person's rear end, in German, Schwanz is a direct and vulgar term for the penis. Therefore, you should never use it to refer to a human's backside; for that, use Hintern, Po, or Gesäß. Misusing this word in a non-animal context can lead to significant social awkwardness or offense.

Confusion with 'Schweif': Another common error is failing to distinguish between Schwanz and Schweif. While Schwanz is the general term, Schweif is specifically used for animals with long, flowing hair on their tails, like horses or squirrels (in poetic contexts), and for comets. Calling a horse's tail a Schwanz isn't grammatically wrong, but it sounds unrefined and less precise to a native speaker.

Falsch: Das Pferd hat einen schönen Schwanz.
Richtig: Das Pferd hat einen schönen Schweif.

Grammatically, learners often forget that wedeln (to wag) requires the preposition mit and the dative case. Saying 'Der Hund wedelt seinen Schwanz' is a direct translation from English and is incorrect in German. It must be 'Der Hund wedelt mit seinem Schwanz.' Similarly, the plural forms can be tricky. The plural is Schwänze (with an umlaut), not Schwanze. Forgetting the umlaut changes the pronunciation and marks you as a beginner.

Misuse in Compound Words: Learners sometimes try to invent compound words like 'Katzenschwanz' or 'Hundeschwanz' when they aren't necessary. While these are correct, often just saying 'sein Schwanz' (his tail) is more natural if the animal has already been mentioned.

Finally, don't confuse Schwanz with Schlange (snake) or Schlange stehen (standing in line). While both can refer to a 'tail' or 'queue' in English, German makes a clear distinction. Use Schlange for a line of people and Schwanz (or Rattenschwanz) only when referring to a long sequence of events or the physical end of something long.

German is a language of precision, especially when it comes to the natural world. While der Schwanz is the umbrella term for a tail, there are several alternatives that are more appropriate depending on the animal or the context. Understanding these will elevate your German from functional to fluent.

der Schweif: This term is used for tails with long, flowing hair. It is the standard word for a horse's tail and is also used for comets (Kometenschweif). It carries a more aesthetic, elegant connotation than Schwanz.
die Lunte: In hunting terminology (Jägersprache), this specifically refers to the tail of a fox. In general use, Lunte also means a 'fuse' (like on a bomb), leading to the idiom 'Lunte riechen' (to smell a rat / to suspect something).
die Blume: Literally 'flower', this is the hunter's term for the short tail of a rabbit or hare. It describes the white, fluffy appearance of the tail as it hops away.

Der Jäger sah nur noch die weiße Blume des Hasen im Gebüsch verschwinden.

For birds, the tail is often called the Stoß (in hunting) or simply part of the Gefieder (plumage). However, for a peacock, we use Rad (wheel) when it fans its tail out (ein Rad schlagen). If you are looking for a more formal or anatomical term, you might encounter das Hinterende (the rear end) or die Schwanzwirbelsäule (the tail vertebrae) in scientific texts.

der Bürzel: This refers specifically to the anatomical tail-end of a bird, where the tail feathers are rooted. It is often mentioned in the context of waterfowl like ducks.

When translating 'tail' in the sense of 'the end of a line', das Ende or der Schluss are often better choices. If you want to describe a 'tail' following someone (like a detective), you would use der Beschatter (shadow/tailer). In summary, while Schwanz is your go-to word, being aware of Schweif, Lunte, and Blume will make your descriptions of nature much more vivid and accurate.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The verb 'schwänzen' (to skip school) actually comes from the idea of 'swinging' or 'wagging' around instead of going to class.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ʃvants/

US /ʃvɑːnts/

Single syllable, no complex stress pattern.

Rime avec

Glanz Tanz Kranz Ganz Lanz Schanz Pflanz Bilanz

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'w' like an English 'w' (it should be a 'v' sound).
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' in the 'z' (z = ts).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts about animals.

Écriture 3/5

Must remember the umlaut in plural (Schwänze).

Expression orale 4/5

Must be careful of the vulgar connotation.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation, easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

der Hund die Katze das Tier lang kurz

Apprends ensuite

der Schweif wedeln das Fell die Pfote das Horn

Avancé

die Lunte die Blume der Bürzel die Schwanzflosse

Grammaire à connaître

Dative after 'mit'

Er spielt mit dem Schwanz.

Masculine Noun Declension

Ich sehe den Schwanz (Accusative).

Plural Umlaut

Zwei Schwänze (not Schwanze).

Compound Noun Gender

Der Pferdeschwanz (Gender comes from 'Schwanz').

Diminutive Neuter

Das Schwänzchen (All -chen words are neuter).

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Exemples par niveau

Der Hund hat einen Schwanz.

The dog has a tail.

Accusative masculine: 'einen Schwanz'.

Die Katze hat einen langen Schwanz.

The cat has a long tail.

Adjective ending: 'langen' for masculine accusative.

Wo ist der Schwanz?

Where is the tail?

Nominative: 'der Schwanz'.

Das ist ein kurzer Schwanz.

That is a short tail.

Nominative masculine: 'ein kurzer Schwanz'.

Mein Hund wedelt mit dem Schwanz.

My dog wags its tail.

Dative after 'mit': 'dem Schwanz'.

Der Tiger hat einen dicken Schwanz.

The tiger has a thick tail.

Masculine noun.

Ein Tier ohne Schwanz.

An animal without a tail.

Preposition 'ohne' takes accusative.

Der Schwanz ist braun.

The tail is brown.

Simple subject-predicate.

Der Hund wedelt freudig mit seinem Schwanz.

The dog wags its tail joyfully.

Adverb 'freudig' added.

Alle Hunde haben Schwänze.

All dogs have tails.

Plural: 'Schwänze'.

Die Maus hat einen sehr dünnen Schwanz.

The mouse has a very thin tail.

Adjective 'dünnen'.

Das Eichhörnchen hat einen buschigen Schwanz.

The squirrel has a bushy tail.

Vocabulary: 'buschig'.

Warum ist der Schwanz der Katze so lang?

Why is the cat's tail so long?

Genitive: 'der Katze'.

Der Affe benutzt seinen Schwanz zum Klettern.

The monkey uses its tail for climbing.

Usage of 'benutzen'.

Siehst du den Schwanz vom Fuchs?

Do you see the fox's tail?

Dative 'von' as genitive substitute.

Der Hund hat Angst und zieht den Schwanz ein.

The dog is scared and tucks its tail.

Separable verb 'einziehen'.

Sie trägt ihre Haare heute als Pferdeschwanz.

She is wearing her hair as a ponytail today.

Compound noun: 'Pferdeschwanz'.

Der Ochsenschwanz wird oft für Suppen verwendet.

Oxtail is often used for soups.

Passive voice: 'wird verwendet'.

Ein Komet zieht einen langen Schweif hinter sich her.

A comet pulls a long tail behind it.

Using 'Schweif' for comets.

Der Skorpion hat einen giftigen Stachel am Schwanz.

The scorpion has a poisonous stinger on its tail.

Prepositional phrase 'am Schwanz'.

Er wollte nicht kämpfen und zog den Schwanz ein.

He didn't want to fight and backed down.

Idiomatic usage.

Die Eidechse kann ihren Schwanz bei Gefahr abwerfen.

The lizard can shed its tail in case of danger.

Modal verb 'kann'.

Der Pfau schlägt ein Rad mit seinem prächtigen Schwanz.

The peacock fans out its magnificent tail.

Cultural idiom 'ein Rad schlagen'.

Das Krokodil schlägt mit dem Schwanz im Wasser.

The crocodile thrashes its tail in the water.

Action verb 'schlagen'.

Die Reform zog einen ganzen Rattenschwanz an Bürokratie nach sich.

The reform brought a whole 'rat's tail' of bureaucracy with it.

Idiom: 'Rattenschwanz'.

Manche Hunde werden leider immer noch am Schwanz kupiert.

Some dogs are unfortunately still docked at the tail.

Specialized verb 'kupieren'.

Der Teufel wird oft mit Hörnern und einem Schwanz dargestellt.

The devil is often depicted with horns and a tail.

Passive voice.

Die Wirbelsäule setzt sich im Schwanz des Tieres fort.

The spine continues into the animal's tail.

Reflexive verb 'sich fortsetzen'.

Der Fisch steuert seine Richtung hauptsächlich mit dem Schwanz.

The fish steers its direction mainly with its tail.

Biological context.

Ein Fuchs hat eine buschige Lunte, kein gewöhnlicher Schwanz.

A fox has a bushy 'Lunte', not an ordinary tail.

Hunting term 'Lunte'.

Die Katze peitschte wütend mit dem Schwanz gegen das Sofa.

The cat lashed its tail angrily against the sofa.

Vivid verb 'peitschen'.

Die Verteilung hat einen sogenannten 'langen Schwanz' in der Statistik.

The distribution has a so-called 'long tail' in statistics.

Technical usage.

Die evolutionäre Rückbildung des Schwanzes beim Menschen ist faszinierend.

The evolutionary regression of the tail in humans is fascinating.

Genitive: 'des Schwanzes'.

Er packte die Gelegenheit beim Schwanz, bevor sie entwich.

He grabbed the opportunity by the tail before it escaped.

Metaphorical usage.

In der Jägersprache bezeichnet man den Schwanz des Hirsches als Wedel.

In hunting terminology, the deer's tail is called 'Wedel'.

Technical term 'Wedel'.

Der Kometenschweif erstreckt sich über Millionen von Kilometern.

The comet's tail extends over millions of kilometers.

Using 'Schweif' correctly.

Das Gesetz hatte einen Rattenschwanz an rechtlichen Konsequenzen zur Folge.

The law resulted in a 'rat's tail' of legal consequences.

Complex sentence structure.

Die feinen Haare am Schwanz dienen als Tastorgane.

The fine hairs on the tail serve as tactile organs.

Scientific description.

Der Hund, dessen Schwanz verletzt war, jaulte leise.

The dog, whose tail was injured, whimpered softly.

Relative clause with 'dessen'.

Die Symbolik des Schwanzes in der mittelalterlichen Kunst ist vielfältig.

The symbolism of the tail in medieval art is diverse.

Academic context.

Die morphologische Variabilität der Schwänze innerhalb der Vertebraten ist enorm.

The morphological variability of tails within vertebrates is enormous.

High-level academic vocabulary.

Er zog den Schwanz ein, als er mit seinen Verfehlungen konfrontiert wurde.

He chickened out when confronted with his misconduct.

Abstract metaphorical use.

Die Ochsenschwanzessenz war der Höhepunkt des siebengängigen Menüs.

The oxtail essence was the highlight of the seven-course menu.

Culinary term 'Essenz'.

Das Tier nutzt den Schwanz als Präzisionswerkzeug zur Thermoregulation.

The animal uses its tail as a precision tool for thermoregulation.

Technical biology term.

In jener Sage verlor der Teufel seinen Schwanz an einen listigen Bauern.

In that legend, the devil lost his tail to a cunning farmer.

Narrative style.

Die Analyse des 'Long Tail' im E-Commerce zeigt interessante Trends.

The analysis of the 'Long Tail' in e-commerce shows interesting trends.

Loanword usage in business.

Die filigrane Struktur des Pfauenschweifs ist ein Wunder der Natur.

The delicate structure of the peacock's tail is a wonder of nature.

Elevated register.

Die ontogenetische Entwicklung des Schwanzes beginnt früh im Embryonalstadium.

The ontogenetic development of the tail begins early in the embryonic stage.

Scientific precision.

Collocations courantes

mit dem Schwanz wedeln

den Schwanz einziehen

einen buschigen Schwanz haben

ein langer Rattenschwanz

den Schwanz kupieren

ein geringelter Schwanz

den Teufel beim Schwanz fassen

Ochsenschwanz zubereiten

am Schwanz ziehen

der Schwanz der Schlange

Phrases Courantes

Pferdeschwanz

— A ponytail hairstyle.

Sie trägt einen Pferdeschwanz.

Schwanzmeise

— A type of bird (Long-tailed Tit).

Ich habe eine Schwanzmeise im Garten gesehen.

Schwanzflosse

— The tail fin of a fish.

Der Hai bewegt seine Schwanzflosse.

Schwanzwirbel

— Tail vertebrae.

Das Skelett hat zehn Schwanzwirbel.

Hundeschwanz

— A dog's tail.

Der Hundeschwanz ist sehr kurz.

Katzenschwanz

— A cat's tail.

Der Katzenschwanz ist flauschig.

Teufelsschwanz

— The devil's tail.

Das Kostüm hat einen Teufelsschwanz.

Schwanzende

— The very end of the tail.

Die Spitze am Schwanzende ist weiß.

Schweineschwanz

— A pig's tail.

Der Schweineschwanz ist gekringelt.

Rattenschwanz

— A long sequence of things.

Das Problem hat einen Rattenschwanz.

Souvent confondu avec

der Schwanz vs Schweif

Use Schweif for horses or comets; it's more elegant.

der Schwanz vs Schlange

Use Schlange for a line of people, not Schwanz.

der Schwanz vs Ende

General 'end', while Schwanz is the physical appendage.

Expressions idiomatiques

"den Schwanz einziehen"

— To retreat in a cowardly way.

Als es ernst wurde, zog er den Schwanz ein.

colloquial

"einen Rattenschwanz nach sich ziehen"

— To result in a long series of (usually bad) consequences.

Die Panne zog einen Rattenschwanz an Reparaturen nach sich.

neutral

"den Teufel beim Schwanz fassen"

— To be in great distress or to try to manage a difficult situation.

In der Krise musste er den Teufel beim Schwanz fassen.

literary

"mit dem Schwanz wedeln"

— To show joy (literal) or to behave submissively (figurative).

Er wedelt vor dem Chef nur mit dem Schwanz.

colloquial

"das Pferd beim Schwanz aufzäumen"

— To do something the wrong way around (less common than 'beim Zügel').

Du zäumst das Pferd beim Schwanz auf!

informal

"ein Schwanz von Leuten"

— A long line or procession of people following someone.

Ein ganzer Schwanz von Reportern folgte ihm.

neutral

"den Schwanz hängen lassen"

— To be discouraged or sad.

Lass den Schwanz nicht hängen!

informal

"jemandem auf den Schwanz treten"

— To offend someone or step on their toes (figurative).

Pass auf, dass du ihm nicht auf den Schwanz trittst.

informal

"den Schwanz zwischen die Beine nehmen"

— To run away in fear.

Er nahm den Schwanz zwischen die Beine und rannte weg.

colloquial

"vorn hui, hinten pfui (mit einem Rattenschwanz)"

— Good at first glance, but with hidden problems later.

Das Angebot hat einen Rattenschwanz an Bedingungen.

informal

Facile à confondre

der Schwanz vs schwänzen

Sounds similar.

Schwänzen is a verb meaning to skip school or work.

Er hat die Schule geschwänzt.

der Schwanz vs Schwan

Similar spelling.

Schwan is a swan (bird).

Der Schwan schwimmt auf dem See.

der Schwanz vs Schwamm

Similar start.

Schwamm is a sponge.

Ich brauche einen Schwamm.

der Schwanz vs Schwung

Related etymologically.

Schwung means momentum or swing.

Er hat viel Schwung.

der Schwanz vs Schweif

Synonym.

Specific to horses or comets, more poetic.

Der Kometenschweif.

Structures de phrases

Das Tier hat einen [Adjektiv] Schwanz.

Das Tier hat einen kurzen Schwanz.

Der Hund wedelt mit seinem Schwanz.

Wegen des [Substantiv] zog er den Schwanz ein.

Wegen des Streits zog er den Schwanz ein.

Diese Entscheidung zieht einen Rattenschwanz an [Plural] nach sich.

Diese Entscheidung zieht einen Rattenschwanz an Problemen nach sich.

Die Funktion des Schwanzes besteht darin, [Verb].

Die Funktion des Schwanzes besteht darin, das Gleichgewicht zu halten.

In der Jägersprache wird der Schwanz als [Begriff] bezeichnet.

In der Jägersprache wird der Schwanz als Lunte bezeichnet.

Sie trägt ihre Haare im [Kompositum].

Sie trägt ihre Haare im Pferdeschwanz.

Ein Tier, dessen Schwanz [Eigenschaft] ist.

Ein Tier, dessen Schwanz sehr lang ist.

Famille de mots

Noms

Schwänzchen

Schwanzflosse

Schwanzwirbel

Pferdeschwanz

Ochsenschwanz

Verbes

schwänzeln (to wag/fawn)

schwänzen (to skip school/work - different root but similar sound)

Adjectifs

schwanzlos

langschwänzig

kurzschwänzig

Apparenté

Tier

Körperteil

Wirbelsäule

Wedeln

Schweif

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High (top 2000 words)

Erreurs courantes

Der Hund wedelt seinen Schwanz. → Der Hund wedelt mit seinem Schwanz.
The verb 'wedeln' requires 'mit' + dative.
Das Pferd hat einen langen Schwanz. → Das Pferd hat einen langen Schweif.
Horses have a 'Schweif', not a 'Schwanz'.
Ich stehe im Schwanz. → Ich stehe in der Schlange.
A queue of people is a 'Schlange'.
Zwei Schwanze. → Zwei Schwänze.
The plural requires an umlaut.
Er hat einen kleinen Schwanz (referring to a child's bottom). → Er hat einen kleinen Popo.
Using 'Schwanz' for a human is vulgar.

Astuces

Pet Talk

When meeting a dog in Germany, it's very common to comment on their tail wagging: 'Er wedelt aber schön!'

Avoid Humans

Never use 'Schwanz' to describe a human's body part unless you mean to be vulgar.

Horse Tail

Always use 'Schweif' for horses. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.

Dative Rule

Remember: 'mit dem Schwanz'. The 'mit' is non-negotiable for 'wedeln'.

The Rat's Tail

Use 'Rattenschwanz' when complaining about bureaucracy; it's a very 'German' way to express frustration.

The Z Sound

The 'z' at the end is sharp, like 'ts'. Don't let it sound like a soft 's'.

Compound Power

German loves compound words. 'Hundeschwanz' is often better than 'Schwanz von dem Hund'.

Scientific Context

In biology, the word is used neutrally for all vertebrates.

Devil's Tail

In folklore, the devil's tail is a sign of his animalistic, evil nature.

Carnival

If you go to a German Carnival as an animal, don't forget your 'Schwanz'!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Swan' with a 'z'—a Swan's tail is short, but the word 'Schwanz' covers all tails.

Association visuelle

Imagine a dog wagging its tail in the shape of a letter 'S' for Schwanz.

Word Web

Hund Katze wedeln lang kurz buschig Pferdeschwanz Ochsenschwanz

Défi

Try to name five animals and describe their tails using 'Schwanz' and an adjective.

Origine du mot

From Middle High German 'swanz', which meant 'tail' or 'swinging movement'. It is related to the verb 'schwingen' (to swing).

Sens originel : Something that swings or hangs down.

Germanic.

Contexte culturel

Extremely high sensitivity regarding human usage. Always ensure the context is animal-related or technical.

Unlike the English 'tail', the German 'Schwanz' is much more likely to be interpreted as a vulgarity if used for humans.

The Brothers Grimm: Fables often mention fox tails. Der Grüffelo: Describes the monster's tail. Traditional Christmas songs: Mentioning the donkey's tail.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Vet

Hat der Hund Schmerzen am Schwanz?
Der Schwanz ist gebrochen.
Er wedelt nicht mehr.
Die Wunde am Schwanz.

Zoo Visit

Der Löwe hat eine Quaste am Schwanz.
Der Affe nutzt den Schwanz.
Wie lang ist der Schwanz?
Vorsicht am Schwanz!

Hair Salon

Einen Pferdeschwanz, bitte.
Nicht zu fest binden.
Haargummi für den Pferdeschwanz.
Ein hoher Pferdeschwanz.

Cooking

Ochsenschwanzsuppe kochen.
Das Fleisch vom Ochsenschwanz.
Ein Rezept für Ochsenschwanz.
Lange Garzeit.

Idiomatic Discussion

Er hat den Schwanz eingezogen.
Das gibt einen Rattenschwanz.
Den Teufel beim Schwanz fassen.
Lass den Schwanz nicht hängen.

Amorces de conversation

"Hat dein Haustier einen langen oder einen kurzen Schwanz?"

"Wusstest du, dass 'Pferdeschwanz' auch eine Frisur ist?"

"Hast du schon mal Ochsenschwanzsuppe probiert?"

"Was bedeutet es, wenn ein Hund mit dem Schwanz wedelt?"

"Welches Tier hat deiner Meinung nach den schönsten Schwanz?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe das Aussehen deines Lieblingstieres und gehe dabei besonders auf seinen Schwanz ein.

Hast du jemals eine Situation erlebt, in der jemand 'den Schwanz eingezogen' hat? Erzähle davon.

Schreibe über ein Problem in deinem Leben, das einen 'Rattenschwanz' an Konsequenzen hatte.

Warum glaubst du, benutzen Tiere ihren Schwanz zur Kommunikation?

Erfinde ein Fabeltier und beschreibe seinen magischen Schwanz.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is the standard word for an animal's tail. It only becomes vulgar when used to refer to a person. In a zoo or at a vet, it is perfectly normal.

The plural is 'die Schwänze'. Remember the umlaut over the 'a'.

Yes, but you should use the compound word 'Pferdeschwanz'. Using just 'Schwanz' for hair would be weird.

The phrase is 'mit dem Schwanz wedeln'. It requires the preposition 'mit' and the dative case.

Only for horses, comets, or very long, flowing tails. For a dog or a cat, 'Schwanz' is more natural.

It refers to a long chain of consequences or tasks that follow one initial action.

Yes, 'Ochsenschwanzsuppe' is a traditional dish in Germany.

German hunting culture has a specialized vocabulary (Jägersprache) to show expertise and tradition.

No, use 'Schlange'. 'Schwanz' is rarely used for people unless it's a 'Schwanz von Reportern' (a tail of reporters following someone).

It is the diminutive form, meaning 'little tail'. It is often used in children's songs or for small animals.

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