schmettern
to slam
To throw or hurl something with great force so that it hits a surface hard.
EXAMPLE
Wütend schmetterte er den Ball gegen die Wand.
In anger, he slammed the ball against the wall.
schmettern
to slam / belt out / blare
schmettern – schmetterte – hat geschmettert
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Meanings
schmettern
to strike hard
To strike something with great force or hit someone hard.
EXAMPLE
Der Boxer schmetterte seinen Gegner mit einem einzigen Schlag zu Boden.
The boxer knocked his opponent to the ground with a single punch.
schmettern
to belt out
To sing or play a musical instrument loudly and powerfully.
EXAMPLE
Die Sängerin schmetterte den Refrain mit voller Kraft.
The singer belted out the chorus at full power.
schmettern
to blare
To produce a loud, harsh, piercing sound.
EXAMPLE
Die Trompeten schmetterten durch das ganze Tal.
The trumpets blared throughout the valley.
schmettern
to smash
In volleyball, tennis, or table tennis, to hit the ball hard and steeply downward into the opponent's court.
EXAMPLE
Sie schmetterte den Ball unhaltbar ins gegnerische Feld.
She smashed the ball into the opponent's court, making it impossible to return.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry schmettern, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | schmettere schmettre |
|---|---|
| du | schmetterst |
| er/sie/es | schmettert |
| wir | schmettern |
| ihr | schmettert |
| sie | schmettern |
Simple past
| ich | schmetterte |
|---|---|
| du | schmettertest |
| er/sie/es | schmetterte |
| wir | schmetterten |
| ihr | schmettertet |
| sie | schmetterten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe geschmettert |
|---|---|
| du | hast geschmettert |
| er/sie/es | hat geschmettert |
| wir | haben geschmettert |
| ihr | habt geschmettert |
| sie | haben geschmettert |
Commands
| du | schmetter! schmettere!, schmettre! |
|---|---|
| ihr | schmettert! |
| Sie | schmettern Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geschmettert |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geschmettert |
| er/sie/es | hatte geschmettert |
| wir | hatten geschmettert |
| ihr | hattet geschmettert |
| sie | hatten geschmettert |
Future
| ich | werde schmettern |
|---|---|
| du | wirst schmettern |
| er/sie/es | wird schmettern |
| wir | werden schmettern |
| ihr | werdet schmettern |
| sie | werden schmettern |
Subjunctive I
| ich | schmettere schmettre |
|---|---|
| du | schmetterst |
| er/sie/es | schmettere schmettre |
| wir | schmettern |
| ihr | schmettert |
| sie | schmettern |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | schmetterte |
|---|---|
| du | schmettertest |
| er/sie/es | schmetterte |
| wir | schmetterten |
| ihr | schmettertet |
| sie | schmetterten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | schmettern |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu schmettern |
| present participle | schmetternd |
| past participle | geschmettert |
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In this sense, 'schmettern' (to slam) often takes an object referring to a thing and a directional phrase with 'gegen' (against) or 'auf' (onto). Typical combinations include 'einen Ball gegen die Wand schmettern' (to slam a ball against the wall) and 'etwas auf den Boden schmettern' (to slam something onto the floor).
EXAMPLE
Vor Wut schmetterte sie das Kissen auf den Boden.
In anger, she slammed the cushion onto the floor.
Striking movement
When describing a forceful blow, 'schmettern' (to strike hard) can be used with body parts or blows. A phrase with 'ins' (into the) or 'gegen' (against) often indicates the target of the blow.
EXAMPLE
Im Gedränge schmetterte der Angreifer dem Ordner den Ellenbogen gegen die Brust.
In the crush, the attacker smashed his elbow into the steward's chest.
Musical collocations
When describing singing or playing music, 'schmettern' (to belt out) is often used with 'ein Lied' (a song), 'eine Arie' (an aria), or 'den Refrain' (the chorus). The verb emphasizes the high volume and powerful delivery.
EXAMPLE
Im Finale schmetterte der Tenor eine berühmte Arie.
In the finale, the tenor belted out a famous aria.
Loud sounds
When describing sounds, trumpets, fanfares, and horns are especially common subjects. A phrase indicating location with 'durch' (through) or 'über' (across) often follows, showing how far the sound carries.
EXAMPLE
Die Fanfaren schmetterten über den festlich geschmückten Marktplatz.
The fanfares blared across the festively decorated market square.
In real life
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