der Schuft
scoundrel
A mean, villainous, or deceitful person; an insult for someone who treats others badly or cheats them.
EXAMPLE
Der Schuft hat mich um mein Geld betrogen.
The scoundrel cheated me out of my money.
der Schuft
scoundrel
der Schuft, die Schufte
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Schuft, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Schufte |
| genitive | des Schufts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Schuft | die Schufte |
| accusative | den Schuft | die Schufte |
| dative | dem Schuft | den Schuften |
| genitive | des Schufts des Schuftes | der Schufte |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Direct address
As a direct insult, „Schuft“ (scoundrel) is often used in the expression „du Schuft“ (you scoundrel), without an article. This addresses the person being insulted directly.
EXAMPLE
Du Schuft, du hast mich die ganze Zeit belogen!
You scoundrel, you've been lying to me the whole time!
Style and effect
„Schuft“ (scoundrel) often sounds somewhat old-fashioned or dramatic today and also appears in stories and films. When used as a serious insult, the word can be quite hurtful.
EXAMPLE
„Dieser Schuft wird dafür bezahlen!“, rief der alte Graf.
“That scoundrel will pay for this!” shouted the old count.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include „ein gemeiner Schuft“ (a mean scoundrel) and „ein elender Schuft“ (a wretched scoundrel). The adjectives intensify the insult and express strong contempt.
EXAMPLE
Was für ein elender Schuft – er hat die Spenden für sich behalten!
What a wretched scoundrel—he kept the donations for himself!
In real life
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