schultern
to carry on one's shoulders
To lift someone or something onto one's shoulder and carry them or it.
EXAMPLE
Er schulterte den schweren Sack und trug ihn in den Keller.
He shouldered the heavy sack and carried it down to the basement.
schultern
to shoulder
schultern – schulterte – hat geschultert
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Meanings
schultern
to shoulder
To take on and manage a difficult task, burden, or responsibility.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat die gesamte Verantwortung für das Projekt geschultert.
She shouldered all the responsibility for the project.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry schultern, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | schultere schultre |
|---|---|
| du | schulterst |
| er/sie/es | schultert |
| wir | schultern |
| ihr | schultert |
| sie | schultern |
Simple past
| ich | schulterte |
|---|---|
| du | schultertest |
| er/sie/es | schulterte |
| wir | schulterten |
| ihr | schultertet |
| sie | schulterten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe geschultert |
|---|---|
| du | hast geschultert |
| er/sie/es | hat geschultert |
| wir | haben geschultert |
| ihr | habt geschultert |
| sie | haben geschultert |
Commands
| du | schultere! schulter!, schultre! |
|---|---|
| ihr | schultert! |
| Sie | schultern Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte geschultert |
|---|---|
| du | hattest geschultert |
| er/sie/es | hatte geschultert |
| wir | hatten geschultert |
| ihr | hattet geschultert |
| sie | hatten geschultert |
Future
| ich | werde schultern |
|---|---|
| du | wirst schultern |
| er/sie/es | wird schultern |
| wir | werden schultern |
| ihr | werdet schultern |
| sie | werden schultern |
Subjunctive I
| ich | schultere schultre |
|---|---|
| du | schulterst |
| er/sie/es | schultere schultre |
| wir | schultern |
| ihr | schultert |
| sie | schultern |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | schulterte |
|---|---|
| du | schultertest |
| er/sie/es | schulterte |
| wir | schulterten |
| ihr | schultertet |
| sie | schulterten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | schultern |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu schultern |
| present participle | schulternd |
| past participle | geschultert |
Usage tips
Word family
'Schultern' (to shoulder) is derived from the noun 'Schulter' (shoulder). The basic idea behind the verb is carrying something so that it rests on the shoulder; this also gives rise to its figurative use.
EXAMPLE
Der starke Wanderer schulterte den schweren Rucksack ohne Hilfe.
The strong hiker shouldered the heavy backpack without help.
Accusative object
'Schultern' (to shoulder) is normally used transitively and takes an accusative object. This object refers to the person, thing, or task that someone carries or takes on.
EXAMPLE
Die Helferin schulterte den bewusstlosen Mann vorsichtig.
The aid worker carefully shouldered the unconscious man.
Context clue
Concrete people and objects usually point to the physical meaning of 'schultern' (to carry on one's shoulders). Abstract nouns such as 'Verantwortung' (responsibility) or 'Last' (burden) indicate the figurative meaning of the verb.
EXAMPLE
Der Feuerwehrmann schulterte das Kind.
The firefighter shouldered the child.
Die neue Leiterin schulterte sofort die Verantwortung für das Team.
The new manager immediately shouldered responsibility for the team.
Typical collocations
In its physical meaning, 'schultern' (to carry on one's shoulders) is often used with people or objects that are being carried. Common collocations include 'einen Verletzten schultern' (to carry an injured person on one's shoulders), 'ein Kind schultern' (to carry a child on one's shoulders), and 'einen Rucksack schultern' (to shoulder a backpack).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturz schulterte der Bergführer den verletzten Wanderer.
After the fall, the mountain guide shouldered the injured hiker.
Typical collocations
In its figurative meaning, 'schultern' (to shoulder) is especially often used with 'Verantwortung' (responsibility), 'Last' (burden), 'Bürde' (burden), or 'Aufgabe' (task). The verb emphasizes that someone actively takes on and carries something difficult.
EXAMPLE
Während der Krise schulterte sie die größte Last im Unternehmen.
During the crisis, she shouldered the greatest burden in the company.
In real life
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