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A1 noun #900 よく出る 9分で読める

Schwester

上位900

練習する例文メモとヒント Schwester 30秒で

解説 Schwester in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'Schwester' is introduced as one of the primary family members. Learners are expected to identify their sister in simple sentences using possessive pronouns like 'meine' or 'deine'. You will learn that 'Schwester' is feminine ('die') and that the plural is 'Schwestern'. Basic questions like 'Hast du eine Schwester?' (Do you have a sister?) are standard at this stage. The focus is on immediate family and basic personal information. You should also recognize that 'Schwester' can refer to a nurse in a very simple context, though the family meaning is prioritized.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Schwester' in more varied grammatical structures, including the dative case (e.g., 'Ich helfe meiner Schwester'). You will also learn to distinguish between 'Schwester' and 'Geschwister' (siblings), a common point of confusion. You start to use adjectives to describe your sister, such as 'meine ältere Schwester' (my older sister) or 'meine kleine Schwester' (my little sister). You might also encounter the word in the context of simple stories or descriptions of daily routines involving family members.

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By B1, you should be comfortable using 'Schwester' in professional and social contexts. You will understand the use of 'Schwester' as a title for nurses and nuns. You will also learn compound words like 'Schwesterherz' or 'Halbschwester'. In terms of grammar, you should be able to use the genitive case (e.g., 'Das Auto meiner Schwester'). You can participate in longer discussions about family dynamics and describe the role of a 'Schwester' in different societal structures, such as healthcare or religious communities.

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At the B2 level, you encounter 'Schwester' in more abstract and idiomatic contexts. This includes terms like 'Schwesterstadt' (sister city) or 'Schwestergesellschaft' (sister company). You will understand the metaphorical use of 'sisterhood' (Schwesternschaft) in political or social discourses. Your ability to use the word in complex sentences with relative clauses and various prepositions should be fluent. You will also be aware of the stylistic differences between 'Schwester', 'Krankenschwester', and 'Pflegekraft' and choose the appropriate term based on the formality of the situation.

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At the C1 level, you can appreciate the historical and literary nuances of the word 'Schwester'. You might analyze the portrayal of sisters in German literature (e.g., Thomas Mann or the Brothers Grimm). You understand the subtle connotations of the word in different regional dialects or historical periods. Your usage is precise, and you can discuss the evolution of the term from a purely biological one to a symbol of solidarity and professional identity. You are also capable of using the word in high-level academic or professional writing without error.

無料登録して完全な解説を読む

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'Schwester'. You can use the word in all its metaphorical, idiomatic, and literal senses with ease. You understand the philosophical implications of 'sisterhood' in various cultural contexts. You can identify and use rare or archaic terms related to 'Schwester' in literary analysis. Your understanding of the word is integrated into a deep knowledge of German culture, history, and social structures. You can navigate the most subtle linguistic nuances, such as the irony or affection conveyed by specific diminutives or regional variations.

無料登録して完全な解説を読む

練習する例文メモとヒント

Schwester 30秒で

Primary meaning: A female sibling (sister).
Professional meaning: A nurse (Krankenschwester).
Religious meaning: A nun (Ordensschwester).
Grammar: Feminine noun, plural 'Schwestern', collective 'Geschwister'.

The German word Schwester is a fundamental noun that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its most basic level, it refers to a female sibling. However, the German language, much like English, uses this term in several distinct contexts that range from familial bonds to professional titles and religious affiliations. Understanding these nuances is key to mastering the word's application in daily life.

Familial Context: This is the primary use. It describes a girl or woman in relation to other children of the same parents. If you have one sister, you say 'Ich habe eine Schwester.' If you have multiple, the plural form 'Schwestern' is used. It is important to note that German distinguishes between older and younger sisters through prefixes like 'große Schwester' (big sister) or 'kleine Schwester' (little sister), though the word 'Schwester' remains the base.

Meine Schwester wohnt in Berlin und arbeitet dort als Lehrerin.

Medical Context: In a hospital or clinical setting, 'Schwester' is the traditional short form for 'Krankenschwester' (nurse). While modern professional terminology often prefers 'Pflegekraft' or 'Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegerin', many patients and staff still use 'Schwester' followed by a first name (e.g., 'Schwester Maria') to address female nursing staff. This usage mirrors the British English use of 'Sister' for a senior nurse.

Religious Context: Within the Catholic and Orthodox churches, 'Schwester' refers to a nun or a member of a religious sisterhood. The formal term is 'Ordensschwester'. Like the medical context, it is used as a title. This reflects a spiritual kinship that transcends biological ties, emphasizing a shared commitment to a religious life.

Die Schwester im Krankenhaus war sehr hilfsbereit und freundlich.

Beyond these literal meanings, 'Schwester' can appear in metaphorical contexts, such as 'Schwesternstädte' (sister cities) or 'Schwestergesellschaften' (sister companies), indicating a close, parallel relationship between two entities. In modern social movements, particularly feminism, 'Schwesternschaft' (sisterhood) denotes solidarity among women. The word carries a weight of intimacy and support, making it one of the most emotionally resonant nouns in the German vocabulary. Whether you are talking about family, seeking help in a clinic, or discussing corporate structures, 'Schwester' provides a framework for understanding connections based on shared origin, purpose, or identity.

Using Schwester correctly requires attention to German's case system and gender-specific grammar. As a feminine noun, it always takes the feminine article 'die' in the nominative case. Its declension is relatively straightforward, but the plural form 'Schwestern' is essential for describing more than one sister.

Nominative Case: Used for the subject of the sentence. 'Die Schwester spielt im Garten.' (The sister is playing in the garden.) Here, 'die Schwester' is the one performing the action. When using possessive pronouns, remember to add the feminine ending '-e': 'Meine Schwester', 'Deine Schwester', 'Seine Schwester'.

Ist das deine Schwester auf dem Foto?

Accusative Case: Used for the direct object. 'Ich besuche meine Schwester.' (I am visiting my sister.) In the feminine singular, the article and pronoun endings remain the same as in the nominative ('die' and '-e'), which simplifies things for learners. However, the context of the verb 'besuchen' dictates that 'Schwester' is the object.

Dative Case: Used for the indirect object or after certain prepositions. 'Ich gebe meiner Schwester ein Geschenk.' (I give my sister a gift.) Note the change from 'meine' to 'meiner'. This 'r' ending is the hallmark of the feminine dative singular. Similarly, after 'mit': 'Ich gehe mit meiner Schwester ins Kino.'

Ich habe meiner Schwester gestern eine E-Mail geschrieben.

When constructing sentences with 'Schwester', consider the relationship you want to convey. If you are talking about a half-sister, use 'Halbschwester'. For a sister-in-law, use 'Schwägerin'. The word 'Schwester' is also a common component in compound nouns. For instance, 'Schwesterherz' is an affectionate term (literally 'sister-heart') used to address a beloved sister. In professional writing, ensure you distinguish between 'Schwester' (the person) and 'Schwesternschaft' (the organization or bond). By mastering these grammatical patterns, you can fluently integrate 'Schwester' into complex descriptions of family life and social interactions.

The word Schwester is ubiquitous in German-speaking society, appearing in various environments from the most intimate to the strictly professional. Hearing it in context helps you understand the social dynamics at play. In a typical German household, you will hear children calling out for their 'Schwester' or parents discussing the 'Schwestern' when referring to their daughters collectively.

Family Gatherings: At birthday parties or holidays like Christmas, the word is used constantly. You might hear: 'Wie geht es deiner Schwester?' (How is your sister?) or 'Meine Schwester kommt später.' (My sister is coming later.) It is the bedrock of family conversation, often accompanied by adjectives like 'ältere' (older) or 'jüngere' (younger).

Komm mal her, Schwesterherz, ich habe eine Überraschung für dich!

Hospitals and Clinics: If you visit a doctor or a hospital in Germany, you will frequently hear patients call out 'Schwester!'. While the official job title is 'Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegerin', the traditional 'Schwester' remains the most common way for the public to address female nurses. In this context, it is a term of respect and a request for assistance.

Literature and Media: German literature is rich with 'Schwestern'. From the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales like 'Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot' (Snow-White and Rose-Red) to modern TV dramas, the relationship between sisters is a recurring theme. You will hear the word in songs, see it in news headlines about 'Schwesterstädte' (sister cities), and read it in novels exploring deep psychological bonds.

Die beiden Schwestern waren unzertrennlich und teilten jedes Geheimnis.

In urban settings, you might also hear 'Schwester' used in a slang context among young women, similar to 'sister' or 'sis' in English, denoting a close friend or a peer within a community. This usage is particularly common in multicultural urban centers like Berlin or Frankfurt. Whether in the quiet halls of a convent, the sterile corridors of a hospital, or the lively atmosphere of a family dinner, 'Schwester' is a word that signals connection, care, and shared history. Paying attention to the tone and setting will tell you exactly which 'Schwester' is being discussed.

Even though Schwester seems simple, English speakers often stumble over its usage due to differences in how German handles pluralization and collective nouns. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your German sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing 'Schwestern' with 'Geschwister': This is the most frequent error. In English, if you want to ask 'Do you have siblings?', you might say 'Do you have brothers and sisters?'. In German, you must use 'Geschwister'. If you ask 'Hast du Schwestern?', you are specifically asking if they have *female* siblings only. If they have a brother and a sister, the correct answer to 'Hast du Schwestern?' would be 'Ja, eine', but to the general question, it's 'Ich habe zwei Geschwister'.

Falsch: Ich habe drei Schwestern (wenn man zwei Brüder und eine Schwester meint).

Incorrect Plural Dative: Learners often try to add an extra '-n' to 'Schwestern' in the dative case (e.g., 'mit den Schwesternn'). Since the plural 'Schwestern' already ends in 'n', no additional 'n' is needed. Remember: 'Ich spreche mit meinen Schwestern' is correct. Adding another 'n' is a common hypercorrection.

Gender Mismatch with Titles: When using 'Schwester' as a title for a nurse, learners sometimes forget it is always feminine. You cannot call a male nurse 'Schwester'. A male nurse is 'ein Krankenpfleger' or simply 'Pfleger'. Using 'Schwester' for a man is grammatically incorrect and socially awkward in a professional setting.

Richtig: Meine Schwester ist älter als ich. (My sister is older than me.)

Finally, be careful with the word 'Schwägerin' (sister-in-law). While in English 'sister' is the root, in German, the words are distinct. Don't say 'meine verheiratete Schwester' if you mean your brother's wife; use 'Schwägerin'. By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the 'Geschwister' vs. 'Schwestern' rule—you will avoid the most common traps that catch English-speaking learners of German.

To truly master the semantic field of Schwester, it is helpful to look at related terms and synonyms that can be used depending on the context. German offers a variety of words that overlap with 'Schwester' or provide more specific meanings.

Geschwister vs. Schwester: As mentioned, 'Geschwister' is the collective term for siblings. If you want to talk about your brothers and sisters together, this is the word. 'Schwester' is strictly for female siblings.
Comparison: 'Ich habe zwei Schwestern' (2 girls) vs. 'Ich habe zwei Geschwister' (could be 2 girls, 2 boys, or 1 of each).

Hast du Geschwister? Ja, ich habe eine Schwester und einen Bruder.

Krankenschwester vs. Pflegekraft: In a medical context, 'Krankenschwester' is the traditional term. However, modern hospitals use 'Pflegekraft' (nursing staff) or 'Krankenpflegerin' (female nurse) to be more professional and gender-neutral. 'Schwester' remains the common vocative (the word used to call someone).

Halbschwester and Stiefschwester: For blended families, German is very precise. A 'Halbschwester' shares one biological parent with you. A 'Stiefschwester' (stepsister) shares no biological parents but is the daughter of your parent's spouse. In casual conversation, many people simply use 'Schwester' once the relationship is established.

Obwohl sie meine Stiefschwester ist, verstehen wir uns wie echte Schwestern.

Other related terms include 'Schwägerin' (sister-in-law) and 'Basen' (an archaic term for female cousins, now replaced by 'Cousine'). Understanding these alternatives allows you to describe family trees and professional hierarchies with much greater accuracy. While 'Schwester' is the most versatile and common term, knowing when to switch to 'Geschwister' or 'Pflegekraft' marks the transition from a beginner to an intermediate German speaker.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The word is a 'cognate' with the English 'sister', the Latin 'soror', and the Sanskrit 'svásṛ'. It is one of the most stable words in the Indo-European language family, surviving thousands of years with minimal change in meaning.

発音ガイド

UK /ˈʃvɛstə/

US /ˈʃvɛstər/

The stress is on the first syllable: SCHWES-ter.

韻が合う語

Gester (as in Gestern - almost) Laster Pflaster Meister (slant) Geister (slant) Fenster Gespenster Orchester

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'w' like an English 'w' (as in 'water'). It must be a 'v' sound.
Pronouncing the 'sch' as 's'.
Over-pronouncing the final 'r' instead of letting it soften into a vowel sound.
Confusing the vowel sound in 'Schwes-' with a long 'e'. It is a short, crisp 'e'.
Failing to vocalize the 'v' sound of the 'w'.

難易度

読解 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'sister'.

ライティング 2/5

The 'schw' cluster can be tricky for beginners to spell correctly.

スピーキング 2/5

Requires mastering the 'sch' and 'v' sounds, but the word is short.

リスニング 1/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in conversation.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

die ich haben ist Mädchen

次に学ぶ

Bruder Geschwister Eltern Familie Schwägerin

上級

Schwesternschaft Ordensgelübde Pflegefachkraft Verwandtschaftsverhältnis Erbfolge

知っておくべき文法

Feminine Noun Declension

die Schwester, der Schwester, der Schwester, die Schwester

Plural Formation with -n

eine Schwester -> zwei Schwestern

Possessive Pronoun Endings

mein + e = meine Schwester (nominative/accusative)

Dative Case with 'mit'

Ich gehe mit meiner Schwester (feminine dative singular)

Compound Noun Gender

Die Krankenschwester (gender follows the last noun: Schwester)

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レベル別の例文

Meine Schwester heißt Anna.

My sister is named Anna.

Nominative case, feminine singular.

Hast du eine Schwester?

Do you have a sister?

Accusative case after 'haben'.

Das ist meine Schwester.

That is my sister.

Possessive pronoun 'meine'.

Ich habe zwei Schwestern.

I have two sisters.

Plural form 'Schwestern'.

Meine Schwester ist klein.

My sister is small.

Adjective 'klein' describing the noun.

Wo ist deine Schwester?

Where is your sister?

Interrogative sentence.

Meine Schwester spielt gern.

My sister likes to play.

Subject-verb agreement.

Sie ist meine Schwester.

She is my sister.

Pronoun 'sie' referring to the sister.

Ich helfe meiner Schwester.

I am helping my sister.

Dative case after 'helfen'.

Ich gehe mit meiner Schwester ins Kino.

I am going to the cinema with my sister.

Dative case after preposition 'mit'.

Meine ältere Schwester arbeitet in Berlin.

My older sister works in Berlin.

Adjective declension 'ältere'.

Das Geschenk ist für meine Schwester.

The gift is for my sister.

Accusative case after 'für'.

Ich habe keine Schwestern, nur Brüder.

I have no sisters, only brothers.

Negative 'keine' in plural.

Besuchst du deine Schwester oft?

Do you visit your sister often?

Accusative object.

Meine Schwester und ich essen Pizza.

My sister and I are eating pizza.

Compound subject.

Wie alt ist deine Schwester?

How old is your sister?

Question about age.

Die Schwester im Krankenhaus war sehr nett.

The nurse in the hospital was very nice.

Contextual use of 'Schwester' as nurse.

Das ist das Haus meiner Schwester.

That is my sister's house.

Genitive case 'meiner Schwester'.

Meine Halbschwester wohnt in München.

My half-sister lives in Munich.

Compound noun 'Halbschwester'.

Ich verstehe mich gut mit meinen Schwestern.

I get along well with my sisters.

Dative plural 'meinen Schwestern'.

Meine Schwester möchte Ärztin werden.

My sister wants to become a doctor.

Modal verb 'möchte'.

Hast du deiner Schwester schon gratuliert?

Have you already congratulated your sister?

Dative object with 'gratulieren'.

Meine Schwester hat ein neues Auto gekauft.

My sister bought a new car.

Perfect tense.

Ich schreibe meiner Schwester eine Karte.

I am writing my sister a card.

Dative (indirect) and Accusative (direct) objects.

Berlin und Paris sind Schwesterstädte.

Berlin and Paris are sister cities.

Metaphorical use in 'Schwesterstädte'.

Die Firma hat eine Schwestergesellschaft in den USA.

The company has a sister company in the USA.

Business context.

Sie ist wie eine Schwester für mich.

She is like a sister to me.

Simile using 'wie'.

Die Schwesternschaft der Klinik streikt heute.

The nursing staff of the clinic is on strike today.

Collective noun 'Schwesternschaft'.

Meine Schwester ist sehr ehrgeizig in ihrem Beruf.

My sister is very ambitious in her profession.

Descriptive adjective 'ehrgeizig'.

Trotz unserer Differenzen liebe ich meine Schwester.

Despite our differences, I love my sister.

Preposition 'trotz' with genitive.

Meine Schwester hat mir immer den Rücken gestärkt.

My sister has always had my back.

Idiomatic expression.

Die Ordensschwester widmet ihr Leben dem Gebet.

The nun dedicates her life to prayer.

Specific term 'Ordensschwester'.

Die literarische Darstellung der ungleichen Schwestern ist faszinierend.

The literary portrayal of the unequal sisters is fascinating.

Complex noun phrase.

In diesem Roman symbolisiert die Schwester die verlorene Unschuld.

In this novel, the sister symbolizes lost innocence.

Symbolic usage.

Die Solidarität unter den Schwestern war der Schlüssel zum Erfolg.

Solidarity among the sisters was the key to success.

Abstract noun 'Solidarität'.

Meine Schwester und ich sind charakterlich völlig verschieden.

My sister and I are completely different in character.

Adverbial use of 'charakterlich'.

Die Krankenschwester ist ein Beruf mit hoher Verantwortung.

Nursing is a profession with high responsibility.

Professional context.

Es ist schwer, das Band zwischen zwei Schwestern zu beschreiben.

It is difficult to describe the bond between two sisters.

Infinitive clause.

Meine Schwester hat eine tragende Rolle in der Familiengeschichte.

My sister has a pivotal role in the family history.

Idiomatic 'tragende Rolle'.

Die Schwesternschaft setzt sich für soziale Gerechtigkeit ein.

The sisterhood advocates for social justice.

Reflexive verb 'sich einsetzen'.

Die Ambivalenz der geschwisterlichen Beziehung wird oft thematisiert.

The ambivalence of the sibling relationship is often a theme.

Academic vocabulary.

Ihre Schwester fungierte zeit ihres Lebens als ihre engste Vertraute.

Her sister functioned as her closest confidante throughout her life.

Genitive of time 'zeit ihres Lebens'.

Die ontologische Verbundenheit von Schwestern entzieht sich einfacher Logik.

The ontological connection of sisters eludes simple logic.

Philosophical terminology.

In der Mythologie finden wir oft das Motiv der rachsüchtigen Schwester.

In mythology, we often find the motif of the vengeful sister.

Literary analysis.

Die Schwestergesellschaften operieren völlig autonom voneinander.

The sister companies operate completely autonomously from each other.

Business/Legal terminology.

Das Schicksal der Schwestern ist untrennbar mit dem des Landes verknüpft.

The fate of the sisters is inextricably linked with that of the country.

Passive voice with 'verknüpft'.

Sie betrachtete die Natur als ihre große, schweigende Schwester.

She regarded nature as her great, silent sister.

Personification.

Die Nuancen zwischen 'Schwester' und 'Nonne' sind historisch bedingt.

The nuances between 'sister' and 'nun' are historically determined.

Historical linguistics.

よく使う組み合わせ

ältere Schwester

jüngere Schwester

leibliche Schwester

barmherzige Schwester

leitende Schwester

kleine Schwester

große Schwester

verlorene Schwester

liebe Schwester

einzige Schwester

よく使うフレーズ

Wie eine Schwester

— To describe a very close female friend. It implies a bond as strong as family.

Sie ist für mich wie eine Schwester.

Schwester im Geiste

— A person who shares the same thoughts, values, or opinions. A kindred spirit.

Wir sind Schwestern im Geiste.

Meine Wenigkeit und meine Schwester

— A slightly formal or humorous way to say 'my sister and I'.

Meine Wenigkeit und meine Schwester werden teilnehmen.

Unter Schwestern

— Something said in confidence between women or sisters. 'Between us girls'.

Das bleibt unter Schwestern.

Bruder und Schwester

— The standard way to refer to a male and female sibling pair.

Sie sind Bruder und Schwester.

Schwestern im Glauben

— Women who share the same religious faith.

Sie begrüßte ihre Schwestern im Glauben.

Die kleine Schwester von...

— Often used metaphorically to describe a smaller or less important version of something.

Dieses Dorf ist die kleine Schwester der Großstadt.

Eine gute Schwester sein

— To act supportively and kindly towards one's sibling.

Sie versucht immer, eine gute Schwester zu sein.

Schwestern teilen alles

— A common saying about the close bond and shared life of sisters.

Wie man sagt: Schwestern teilen alles.

Die barmherzige Schwester spielen

— To act overly helpful or self-sacrificing, sometimes used ironically.

Du musst hier nicht die barmherzige Schwester spielen.

よく混同される語

Schwester vs Geschwister

Means 'siblings' (plural). Use this for brothers and sisters together.

Schwester vs Schwägerin

Means 'sister-in-law'. Don't use 'Schwester' for your brother's wife.

Schwester vs Cousine

Means 'female cousin'. Sometimes confused in very large families.

慣用句と表現

"Eine ungleiche Schwester"

— Refers to two things that are related but very different in character or quality.

Die beiden Städte sind ungleiche Schwestern.

Literary

"Pech und Schwefel sein (wie Schwestern)"

— To be inseparable and extremely loyal to each other.

Die beiden sind wie Pech und Schwefel.

Informal

"Ein Herz und eine Seele sein"

— To be in perfect agreement and very close, often used for sisters.

Meine Schwestern sind ein Herz und eine Seele.

Neutral

"Die kleine Schwester der Angst"

— A poetic way to describe a feeling related to but less intense than fear, like worry.

Vorsicht ist die kleine Schwester der Angst.

Literary

"Sich wie Schwestern gleichen"

— To look very similar to each other.

Die beiden Häuser gleichen sich wie Schwestern.

Neutral

"Schwesternschaft schwören"

— To pledge eternal loyalty and friendship.

Sie haben sich ewige Schwesternschaft geschworen.

Formal

"Die barmherzige Schwester"

— Used to describe someone who is exceptionally kind and helpful to those in need.

Sie ist die barmherzige Schwester der Nachbarschaft.

Neutral

"Wie Hund und Katze sein"

— To fight constantly, often used to describe the rivalry between sisters.

Früher waren meine Schwester und ich wie Hund und Katze.

Informal

"In Schwesternschaft verbunden"

— To be united by a common cause or identity as women.

Wir stehen in Schwesternschaft verbunden gegen Ungerechtigkeit.

Political/Formal

"Eine Schwester im Geiste finden"

— To find someone who thinks exactly like you do.

In ihr habe ich eine Schwester im Geiste gefunden.

Neutral

間違えやすい

Schwester vs Geschwister

Both refer to siblings.

'Schwester' is only female. 'Geschwister' is the collective term for all siblings regardless of gender.

Ich habe drei Geschwister: zwei Brüder und eine Schwester.

Schwester vs Schwägerin

Both contain the idea of 'sister'.

'Schwester' is biological/adoptive. 'Schwägerin' is by marriage.

Die Frau meines Bruders ist meine Schwägerin.

Schwester vs Pflegerin

Both refer to nursing staff.

'Schwester' is traditional/vocative. 'Pflegerin' is the modern professional job title.

Sie ist eine kompetente Pflegerin.

Schwester vs Nonne

Both refer to religious women.

'Nonne' is the general term. 'Schwester' is the title used to address them.

Die Nonne wird oft mit 'Schwester' angesprochen.

Schwester vs Base

Archaic term for female relative.

'Base' is outdated. Use 'Schwester' for siblings and 'Cousine' for cousins.

Früher sagte man 'Base', heute sagt man 'Cousine'.

文型パターン

Das ist meine [Noun].

Das ist meine Schwester.

Ich habe eine [Noun].

Ich habe eine Schwester.

Ich helfe meiner [Noun].

Ich helfe meiner Schwester.

Meine [Adjective] Schwester ist [Adjective].

Meine große Schwester ist nett.

Das ist das [Noun] meiner [Noun].

Das ist das Auto meiner Schwester.

Ich arbeite als [Noun].

Ich arbeite als Krankenschwester.

Sie ist wie eine [Noun] für mich.

Sie ist wie eine Schwester für mich.

Die [Noun] symbolisiert [Abstract Noun].

Die Schwester symbolisiert die Hoffnung.

語族

名詞

Schwesternschaft

Schwesterherz

Halbschwester

Stiefschwester

Ordensschwester

Krankenschwester

Schwesterlein

動詞

verschwestern (rare, to bond like sisters)

形容詞

schwesterlich

geschwisterlich

使い方

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and literature.

よくある間違い

Ich habe zwei Schwestern (when meaning one brother and one sister). → Ich habe zwei Geschwister.
'Schwestern' only refers to females. 'Geschwister' is for mixed genders.
Mein Schwester ist hier. → Meine Schwester ist hier.
Possessive pronouns must have the feminine '-e' ending to match 'Schwester'.
Ich spreche mit meinen Schwesternn. → Ich spreche mit meinen Schwestern.
The plural already ends in 'n', so no extra 'n' is added in the dative.
Er ist ein gute Schwester. → Sie ist eine gute Schwester.
A 'Schwester' is always female; the pronoun and adjective must match.
Die Krankenschwester ist ein Mann. → Der Krankenpfleger ist ein Mann.
The term 'Schwester' is gender-specific to females in the nursing profession.

ヒント

Feminine Gender

Always remember that 'Schwester' is feminine. Use 'die', 'eine', and 'meine'. This is consistent across all its meanings (sibling, nurse, nun).

Siblings vs. Sisters

Don't say 'Schwestern' if you mean brothers and sisters. Use 'Geschwister'. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

The 'Sch' Sound

The 'sch' in German is stronger than the English 'sh'. Practice making a clear, hushing sound.

Addressing Nurses

In a hospital, it is polite to address a female nurse as 'Schwester' followed by her first name if you know it.

Capitalization

Nouns are always capitalized in German. Never write 'schwester' with a small 's'.

Affectionate Terms

Use 'Schwesterherz' to sound more like a native when talking to or about a beloved sister.

Plural Dative

The plural 'Schwestern' already ends in 'n', so you don't add another 'n' in the dative case. 'Mit den Schwestern' is correct.

Business Context

Recognize 'Schwestergesellschaft' in business news. It means 'sister company' and is used just like in English.

Blended Families

Be precise with 'Halbschwester' and 'Stiefschwester' when the distinction matters, but 'Schwester' is fine for general use.

Cognate Power

Use the similarity to 'Sister' to help you remember the word, but focus on the spelling differences.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'S'ister and 'W'oman. 'S'ch'W'ester starts with 'Sch' (like She) and 'W' (like Woman). She is a woman who is your sister.

視覚的連想

Imagine two girls holding hands under a large umbrella. The umbrella is shaped like the letter 'S' for Schwester.

Word Web

Familie Bruder Geschwister Krankenhaus Nonne Liebe Vertrauen Mädchen

チャレンジ

Try to name three famous pairs of sisters in history or fiction using the word 'Schwestern'. For example: 'Die Schwestern Serena und Venus Williams'.

語源

The word 'Schwester' comes from the Old High German 'swester'. It has roots in the Proto-Indo-European word '*swésōr'. This root is visible in many Indo-European languages, showing the ancient nature of the term.

元の意味： Female sibling.

Germanic / Indo-European.

文化的な背景

Be mindful that 'Krankenschwester' is being replaced by 'Pflegekraft' in official contexts to be more inclusive and professional. Using 'Schwester' for a nurse is generally fine but can feel slightly old-fashioned to some.

English speakers should note that 'Sister' as a title for a nurse is common in the UK but rare in the US. In German, 'Schwester' for a nurse is common everywhere.

Die Brüder Grimm: 'Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot' (Two sisters) Anton Tschechow: 'Drei Schwestern' (Famous play) The Williams Sisters (Tennis icons, often discussed in German media)

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Family Dinner

Reichst du mir das Salz, Schwester?
Wie war dein Tag, Schwester?
Erzähl mal von deiner Schwester.
Meine Schwester isst kein Fleisch.

Hospital Visit

Schwester, ich brauche Hilfe.
Wo finde ich die leitende Schwester?
Vielen Dank, Schwester.
Die Schwester kommt gleich.

Introducing Someone

Darf ich vorstellen? Das ist meine Schwester.
Sie ist meine kleine Schwester.
Meine Schwester ist extra aus Hamburg gekommen.
Kennst du meine Schwester schon?

Blended Families

Sie ist meine Halbschwester.
Wir sind Stiefschwestern.
Ich habe eine neue Schwester bekommen.
Meine Schwester und ich haben denselben Vater.

Business/Formal

Das ist unsere Schwestergesellschaft.
Wir kooperieren mit unserer Schwesterstadt.
Die Schwesternschaft ist gut organisiert.
Beruf: Krankenschwester.

会話のきっかけ

"Hast du eine Schwester oder einen Bruder?"

"Wie ist dein Verhältnis zu deiner Schwester?"

"Was macht deine Schwester beruflich?"

"Siehst du deiner Schwester ähnlich?"

"Was ist deine schönste Erinnerung mit deiner Schwester?"

日記のテーマ

Beschreibe deine Schwester. Wenn du keine hast, beschreibe eine fiktive Schwester.

Warum ist die Beziehung zwischen Schwestern oft so besonders?

Was hast du von deiner Schwester (oder einer engen Freundin) gelernt?

Denkst du, dass 'Schwester' ein guter Titel für eine Krankenschwester ist? Warum?

Schreibe einen Brief an dein 'Schwesterherz'.

よくある質問

10 問

No, it can also mean a nurse or a nun. In modern slang, it can also refer to a very close female friend, much like 'sis' in English. However, in most contexts, it refers to a female sibling.

The word for siblings is 'Geschwister'. It is a plural-only noun. For example, 'Hast du Geschwister?' means 'Do you have siblings?'

No, that would be incorrect. A male nurse is called 'Krankenpfleger' or simply 'Pfleger'. Using 'Schwester' for a man is grammatically and socially wrong.

The plural is 'Schwestern'. For example, 'Ich habe zwei Schwestern.' (I have two sisters.)

Yes, it is still very common in everyday speech, although 'Pflegekraft' is the preferred professional term in modern hospitals.

You use adjectives: 'ältere Schwester' for older sister and 'jüngere Schwester' for younger sister. You can also say 'große Schwester' and 'kleine Schwester'.

It is an affectionate term for a sister, literally 'sister-heart'. It is used between siblings who have a very close and loving relationship.

Yes, like all nouns in German, 'Schwester' must always be capitalized.

A 'Halbschwester' (half-sister) is a sister with whom you share only one biological parent.

The 'w' is pronounced like an English 'v'. It is a voiced sound made by touching your top teeth to your bottom lip.

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