die Schlägerei
brawl
A violent physical altercation between several people in which people hit and push each other.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Kneipe kam es in der Nacht zu einer üblen Schlägerei.
There was a nasty brawl outside the pub during the night.
die Schlägerei
brawl
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The word is derived from the verb 'schlagen' (to hit). The ending '-erei' often describes an intensive or chaotic action, so here it means intense hitting between several people.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei musste die Schlägerei zwischen den Fußballfans beenden.
The police had to stop the brawl between the football fans.
Typical expression
To describe the outbreak of a brawl, the impersonal expression 'es kommt zu einer Schlägerei' (a brawl breaks out / there is a brawl) is used very frequently. Note the dative after the preposition 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit kam es zu einer heftigen Schlägerei.
After the argument, a violent brawl broke out.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used in connection with 'Schlägerei' (brawl) are 'in eine Schlägerei geraten' (to get caught up in a brawl) or 'sich an einer Schlägerei beteiligen' (to take part in a brawl).
EXAMPLE
Er wollte nur schlichten und geriet dabei selbst in die Schlägerei.
He only wanted to mediate and ended up getting caught up in the brawl himself.
Compare with
Schlägerei vs Kampf
fight / struggle
Both words refer to a physical confrontation. Schlägerei is more colloquial and usually emphasizes the disorderly exchange of punches and shoves between several people. Kampf is more neutral and broader in meaning; use Schlägerei when the chaotic hitting is what you mean.
Schlägerei
Vor dem Lokal kam es zwischen den beiden Gruppen zu einer chaotischen Schlägerei.
There was a chaotic brawl between the two groups outside the restaurant.
Kampf
Vor dem Lokal kam es zwischen den beiden Gruppen zu einem heftigen Kampf.
There was a fierce fight between the two groups outside the restaurant.
In real life
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