der Schwede
Swede
A male person who comes from Sweden or has Swedish citizenship.
EXAMPLE
Mein neuer Kollege ist Schwede und kommt aus Stockholm.
My new colleague is Swedish and comes from Stockholm.
der Schwede
Swede
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Meanings
der Schwede
adjustable wrench
A regional, colloquial term for a large adjustable wrench.
EXAMPLE
Für diese festsitzende Schraube brauchen wir den großen Schweden.
For this stuck screw, we need the large adjustable wrench.
Usage tips
N-declension
'Der Schwede' (the Swede) is a noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular: den Schweden, dem Schweden, des Schweden.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe gestern mit einem netten Schweden gesprochen.
Yesterday I spoke with a nice Swede.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether a person or a tool is meant. If it is about countries, languages, or people, it means the person from Sweden. If it is about crafts, repairs, or screws, it means the tool.
EXAMPLE
Der Schwede, den ich im Urlaub traf, sprach perfekt Deutsch.
The Swede whom I met on vacation spoke perfect German.
Word family
The word 'Schwede' (Swede) is directly connected with the country 'Schweden' (Sweden) and the adjective 'schwedisch' (Swedish). These words belong to one family.
EXAMPLE
Die schwedische Flagge ist blau und gelb.
The Swedish flag is blue and yellow.
Register and region
The meaning 'Schraubenschlüssel' (wrench) is colloquial and is not understood everywhere in Germany. It is used mainly in craft and trades contexts.
EXAMPLE
Mein Opa nannte diesen großen Schraubenschlüssel immer „den Schweden“.
My grandpa always called this large wrench 'den Schweden' (the Swede).
Compare with
Schwede vs Engländer
Englishman / adjustable wrench
Der Engländer and der Schwede can both refer to a large adjustable wrench. Which term is commonly used depends mainly on the region and the specific tool. Use the expression people in your area use for this tool; outside the region, an explanation is often helpful.
Schwede
Gib mir bitte den Schweden, damit ich die Mutter lösen kann.
Please give me the adjustable wrench so I can loosen the nut.
Engländer
Gib mir bitte den Engländer, damit ich die Mutter lösen kann.
Please give me the adjustable wrench so I can loosen the nut.
In real life
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