schuld sein
to be at fault
To be responsible for a mistake, damage, or unpleasant situation.
EXAMPLE
Du bist schuld, dass der Zug abgefahren ist.
It’s your fault that the train has left.
schuld
at fault / to blame
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Meanings
selbst schuld
to have only yourself to blame
To be responsible for an unpleasant consequence through your own actions; this expression can also imply that someone does not deserve sympathy.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du deine Hausaufgaben nicht machst, bist du selbst schuld.
If you don’t do your homework, you’ll have only yourself to blame.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry schuld, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | schuld |
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Usage tips
Special sentence position
The adjective „schuld“ (at fault) typically appears with „sein“ (to be) and is not placed directly before a noun. The responsible person or thing is the subject.
EXAMPLE
An der Verspätung war ein technischer Fehler schuld.
A technical error was responsible for the delay.
The correct preposition
What someone is responsible for is often added with „an“ and the dative. When a „dass“ (that) clause describes the consequence, „daran“ (for that) can appear before it.
EXAMPLE
Wer ist an diesem Fehler schuld?
Who is responsible for this mistake?
Ich bin schuld daran, dass wir jetzt noch einmal anfangen müssen.
It’s my fault that we have to start all over again.
Shortened reaction
„Selbst schuld!“ (You only have yourself to blame!) can stand as a complete response in conversation without a subject or verb. This short form often sounds harsh or reproachful and can hurt the other person.
EXAMPLE
Du hast alle Warnungen ignoriert – selbst schuld!
You ignored all the warnings—serves you right!
In real life
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