01
schneiden
to cut
To divide or work on something with a sharp object such as a knife or scissors.
example
Er schneidet das Gemüse für den Salat.
He is cutting the vegetables for the salad.
schneiden
to cut
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Reflexive or not?
Using 'schneiden' with or without a reflexive pronoun changes the meaning. 'Etwas schneiden' means to cut an object into pieces. 'Sich schneiden' means to accidentally injure oneself.
EXAMPLE
Bitte schneide die Zwiebel in kleine Würfel.
Please cut the onion into small cubes.
Type of cutting
To describe how something is cut, you often use a prepositional construction. Typical patterns are 'in Scheiben schneiden' (to cut into slices), 'in Würfel schneiden' (to cut into cubes), or 'in Stücke schneiden' (to cut into pieces).
EXAMPLE
Für das Gratin müssen wir die Kartoffeln in dünne Scheiben schneiden.
For the gratin, we have to cut the potatoes into thin slices.
Sentence structure for injuries
When you cut yourself on a specific body part, that body part is often given with 'in' + accusative. The reflexive pronoun then appears in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich geschnitten.
I cut myself.
Dative construction
When you cut someone's hair, the person whose hair is being cut is in the dative. The direct object is 'die Haare' (the hair).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte die Haare schneiden?
Can you cut my hair, please?
Context clue
In combination with words like 'Film' (film), 'Video' (video), or 'Ton' (audio/sound), 'schneiden' always means 'to edit' or 'to cut' media.
EXAMPLE
Die Regisseurin schneidet ihren neuen Film gerade selbst.
The director is currently editing her new film herself.
Figurative meaning
In the meaning 'to ignore someone', the verb is transitive and needs a person as a direct accusative object. It describes an active, deliberate action.
EXAMPLE
Nach unserem Streit schneidet er mich komplett.
After our argument, he is completely snubbing me.
Geometry context clue
The reflexive form 'sich schneiden' is used in mathematics and geometry to describe the point of intersection of lines or surfaces.
EXAMPLE
Zwei parallele Linien schneiden sich nie.
Two parallel lines never intersect.
Fixed expression
The verb 'schneiden' is part of the fixed expression 'eine Grimasse schneiden' (to make a face). Here it has nothing to do with cutting something into pieces, but means 'machen' (to make) or 'ziehen' (to pull).
EXAMPLE
Der Clown schnitt eine lustige Grimasse, um die Kinder zum Lachen zu bringen.
The clown made a funny face to make the children laugh.
Compare with
schneiden vs bearbeiten
to process / edit
'schneiden' and 'bearbeiten' can both mean that you change something. 'schneiden' is more specific when you separate something into parts with a knife, scissors, or in a film or audio program. 'bearbeiten' is broader: you can make a photo brighter, improve a text, or shape wood with tools. The words can be confused because 'Schneiden' is sometimes part of editing or working on something, especially with videos or materials. If the separating is important, 'schneiden' fits; if it is generally about changing or improving something, 'bearbeiten' is better.
schneiden
Für den Salat schneidet Tom die Gurke in dünne Scheiben.
For the salad, Tom cuts the cucumber into thin slices.
bearbeiten
Lena bearbeitet das Foto, weil es zu dunkel ist.
Lena edits the photo because it is too dark.
In real life
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