die Schulter
shoulder
The part of the body of a human or animal that connects the arm or front leg with the torso.
EXAMPLE
Er legte mir tröstend eine Hand auf die Schulter.
He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
die Schulter
shoulder
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Meanings
jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigen
to give someone the cold shoulder
To deliberately ignore a person or treat them dismissively.
EXAMPLE
Nach unserem Streit hat sie mir wochenlang die kalte Schulter gezeigt.
After our argument, she gave me the cold shoulder for weeks.
etwas auf die leichte Schulter nehmen
to take something lightly
To not take a matter or problem seriously enough; to underestimate something.
EXAMPLE
Du solltest diese Prüfung nicht auf die leichte Schulter nehmen, sie ist wirklich schwer.
You shouldn't take this exam lightly; it's really difficult.
Usage tips
Compound words
The word 'Schulter' (shoulder) is a common component of compound nouns. The first part often describes what the shoulder is used for or where something is located in relation to the shoulder.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meine Tasche nicht in der Hand, es ist eine Schultertasche.
I don't have my bag in my hand; it's a shoulder bag.
Typical verbs
In connection with the body part 'Schulter' (shoulder), there are typical verbs. 'Mit den Schultern zucken' (to shrug one's shoulders) means that you don't know the answer. 'Jemandem auf die Schulter klopfen' (to pat someone on the shoulder) can express praise or comfort.
EXAMPLE
Auf meine Frage, wann er fertig ist, hat er nur mit den Schultern gezuckt.
When I asked when he would be finished, he only shrugged his shoulders.
Dative construction
In the idiom 'jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigen' (to give someone the cold shoulder), the person being ignored is always in the dative. So the structure is: subject + zeigt + dative object + die kalte Schulter.
EXAMPLE
Seit ich ihre Einladung abgelehnt habe, zeigt sie mir die kalte Schulter.
Since I turned down her invitation, she has been giving me the cold shoulder.
Accusative construction
In the idiom 'etwas auf die leichte Schulter nehmen' (to take something lightly), the thing that is not being taken seriously is always in the accusative. The structure is: subject + nimmt + accusative object + auf die leichte Schulter.
EXAMPLE
Er neigt dazu, finanzielle Probleme auf die leichte Schulter zu nehmen.
He tends to take financial problems lightly.
In real life
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