01
der Schlag
blow / hit
A short, forceful push or strike with the hand or an object.
example
Der Boxer landete einen harten Schlag.
The boxer landed a hard blow.
der Schlag
blow / stroke
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Meanings
01 / 07
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Schlag' (the blow/stroke) is the noun related to the verb 'schlagen' (to hit/strike). Many meanings, including the figurative ones, derive from the basic idea of a sudden, forceful push or event.
EXAMPLE
Der Schlag des Hammers auf den Nagel war laut.
The blow of the hammer on the nail was loud.
Medical context
In a medical context, 'der Schlag' (stroke) is almost always a short form of 'der Schlaganfall' (stroke). Typical verbs in this context are 'einen Schlag erleiden' (to suffer a stroke) or 'einen Schlag haben' (to have a stroke).
EXAMPLE
Nach seinem Schlag musste er das Sprechen neu lernen.
After his stroke, he had to learn to speak again.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf einen Schlag' (all at once) is a fixed idiom and means 'alles auf einmal' (everything at once) or 'plötzlich und gleichzeitig' (suddenly and simultaneously). The form cannot be changed.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat alle ihre Probleme auf einen Schlag gelöst.
She solved all her problems all at once.
Figurative meaning
When 'Schlag' (blow) describes a negative life event, it is often combined with adjectives like 'schwer' (severe), 'hart' (hard), or 'persönlich' (personal). It is then a 'Schlag des Schicksals' (blow of fate).
EXAMPLE
Der Verlust des Arbeitsplatzes war ein harter Schlag für die ganze Familie.
Losing the job was a hard blow for the whole family.
Usage pattern
When 'Schlag' (type/kind) describes a kind of person, the word 'Mensch' (person) always follows. The structure is 'ein ... Schlag Mensch' (a ... type of person), for example 'ein besonderer Schlag Mensch' (a special type of person) or 'ein ruhiger Schlag Mensch' (a calm type of person).
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein ganz anderer Schlag Mensch als seine Schwester.
He is a completely different type of person than his sister.
Typical verbs
In the literal meaning of a blow, the typical verbs are 'einen Schlag bekommen' (to receive a blow; passive) and 'jemandem einen Schlag geben/versetzen' (to give/deal someone a blow; active).
EXAMPLE
Er hat im Streit einen Schlag auf den Kopf bekommen.
During the argument, he received a blow to the head.
Context clue: noise
When 'Schlag' (bang/crash) describes a noise, it is often used with the verb 'hören' (to hear) or adjectives like 'laut' (loud) or 'dumpf' (dull/muffled). Unlike the blow (meaning 1), there is no physical contact with a person here.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe einen lauten Schlag gehört und bin aufgewacht.
I heard a loud bang and woke up.
Compare with
Schlag vs Typ
guy / type
'der Typ' and 'der Schlag' can both describe a type of person. 'Typ' is very common in everyday language and means a person with certain qualities or a certain manner. 'Schlag' in this meaning sounds more fixed and somewhat elevated or old-fashioned; it is often used in phrases like 'ein Mensch von diesem Schlag' (a person of this kind). The words can be confused because both classify people by their type. For normal conversations, 'Typ' is usually more natural, while 'Schlag' fits better when you want to describe a group or character type more strongly.
Schlag
Menschen von diesem Schlag geben nicht schnell auf.
People of this kind do not give up quickly.
Typ
Max ist der Typ Mensch, der immer ruhig bleibt.
Max is the type of person who always stays calm.
In real life
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