der Schwanz
tail
The movable rear body appendage found in many vertebrates.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze putzt sich ausgiebig den Schwanz.
The cat is thoroughly cleaning its tail.
der Schwanz
tail / dick
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Meanings
der Schwanz
dick
(vulgar) The male sex organ; the penis.
EXAMPLE
An die Toilettenwand hatte jemand einen Schwanz gemalt.
Someone had drawn a dick on the toilet wall.
der Schwanz
tail
The rear, often elongated part of an object, such as a comet or airplane.
EXAMPLE
Der Komet zog einen leuchtenden Schwanz hinter sich her.
The comet trailed a glowing tail behind it.
einen Rattenschwanz nach sich ziehen
to bring a whole chain of consequences
To have a series of unpleasant, often unforeseen results or consequences.
EXAMPLE
Die Insolvenz der Firma zog einen Rattenschwanz an Problemen für die gesamte Region nach sich.
The company's insolvency brought a whole chain of problems for the entire region.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Schwanz' (tail/dick) is almost always clear from the context. When talking about animals, it means the body appendage. For objects such as comets or airplanes, it means the rear part.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund wedelte freudig mit dem Schwanz.
The dog wagged its tail happily.
Typical expressions
There are fixed expressions connected with animals. 'Mit dem Schwanz wedeln' (to wag one's tail) means joy, especially in dogs. 'Den Schwanz einziehen' (to tuck one's tail in) means that someone is afraid or submits.
EXAMPLE
Als der große Hund bellte, hat der kleine sofort den Schwanz eingezogen.
When the big dog barked, the little one immediately tucked its tail in.
Register: vulgar language
The meaning 'Penis' (penis) is vulgar and belongs to colloquial or obscene language. Using it in normal conversations or in formal contexts is inappropriate and can be perceived as offensive.
EXAMPLE
Der Betrunkene rief vulgäre Wörter wie „Schwanz“ über die Straße.
The drunk shouted vulgar words like 'Schwanz' (dick) across the street.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'einen Rattenschwanz nach sich ziehen' means that an action has a long chain of negative and often unforeseen consequences. The structure is usually fixed.
EXAMPLE
Die Schließung der Fabrik zog einen Rattenschwanz an wirtschaftlichen Problemen nach sich.
The closure of the factory brought a whole chain of economic problems with it.
Compare with
Schwanz vs Penis
penis
Schwanz and Penis can refer to the same male sex organ. Penis is the neutral anatomical term and is also appropriate in factual or medical conversations. Schwanz is vulgar in this meaning and is suitable only when deliberately crude wording is intended.
Schwanz
In seinem derben Witz spricht er von seinem Schwanz.
In his crude joke, he talks about his dick.
Penis
Bei der Untersuchung spricht der Arzt sachlich vom Penis.
During the examination, the doctor refers to the penis in factual terms.
In real life
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