das Schimpfwort
swear word
An insulting or vulgar word used to express anger, contempt, or frustration, or to insult someone.
EXAMPLE
Er rief dem anderen Fahrer ein Schimpfwort hinterher.
He shouted a swear word after the other driver.
das Schimpfwort
swear word
das Schimpfwort, die Schimpfworte
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schimpfwort, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schimpfworte |
| genitive | des Schimpfworts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Schimpfwort | die Schimpfworte die Schimpfwörter |
| accusative | das Schimpfwort | die Schimpfworte die Schimpfwörter |
| dative | dem Schimpfwort | den Schimpfworten den Schimpfwörtern |
| genitive | des Schimpfworts des Schimpfwortes | der Schimpfworte der Schimpfwörter |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Schimpfwort' (swear word) is a compound noun made from the verb 'schimpfen' (to scold, to insult someone) and 'das Wort' (the word). So it is literally a word used for scolding or insulting.
EXAMPLE
Kinder lernen oft schon früh, was Schimpfwörter sind.
Children often learn early on what swear words are.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with 'Schimpfwort' (swear word) are 'benutzen' (to use), 'verwenden' (to use), or 'rufen' (to shout).
EXAMPLE
Es ist unhöflich, in einem Gespräch Schimpfwörter zu benutzen.
It is impolite to use swear words in a conversation.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'mit Schimpfwörtern um sich werfen' means that someone uses a lot of words, often insulting ones.
EXAMPLE
Er war so wütend, dass er nur noch mit Schimpfwörtern um sich warf.
He was so angry that he was just throwing swear words around.
Compare with
Schimpfwort vs Fluch
curse
Fluch and Schimpfwort can both be vulgar words uttered out of anger or pain. A Schimpfwort is mainly an insulting or coarse term, while a Fluch can also be intended as a curse. Use Schimpfwort for an insult and Fluch for an angry exclamation with the character of a curse.
Schimpfwort
Aus Ärger rief er seinem Bruder ein grobes Schimpfwort zu.
In anger, he shouted a crude swear word at his brother.
Fluch
Aus Schmerz stieß er einen Fluch aus und wünschte dem Unfall die Schuld.
In pain, he uttered a curse and wished the accident to bear the blame.
In real life
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