01
das Schwein
pig
A mammal kept as livestock to produce meat. It is known for its pink skin and curly tail.
example
Auf dem Bauernhof leben viele Schweine im Stall.
Many pigs live in the stable on the farm.
das Schwein
pig
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Productive word formation
The word 'Schwein' (pig) is the basis for many compound nouns. They often describe things related to the animal or its meat, such as 'Schweinebraten' (roast pork), 'Schweinestall' (pigsty), or 'Wildschwein' (wild boar).
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag gibt es bei uns oft Schweinebraten mit Klößen.
On Sundays, we often have roast pork with dumplings.
Use as an insult
When 'Schwein' (pig) is used as an insult for a person, it often appears in direct address or with an article. It is a very strong and colloquial insult.
EXAMPLE
Du Schwein! Warum hast du das getan?
You pig! Why did you do that?
Fixed expression
The colloquial idiom 'Schwein haben' (to be lucky) is fixed and means 'Glück haben' (to be lucky). The person who is lucky is the subject of the sentence. The expression is often used in the perfect tense.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den letzten Zug noch erwischt, da habe ich wirklich Schwein gehabt!
I still caught the last train; I was really lucky!
Cultural background
The idiom 'Schwein haben' (to be lucky) comes from the fact that the pig is considered a symbol of luck in German culture. A 'Glücksschwein' (lucky pig) is a popular gift for New Year.
EXAMPLE
Zum neuen Jahr hat sie mir ein kleines Marzipan-Schwein geschenkt.
For the New Year, she gave me a little marzipan pig.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether the animal or the meat is meant. Verbs like 'essen' (to eat), 'kaufen' (to buy), or 'zubereiten' (to prepare) point to the meat, while 'im Stall leben' (to live in the stable) or 'auf dem Bauernhof' (on the farm) refer to the animal.
EXAMPLE
Ich esse kein Schwein, sondern nur Geflügel.
I don't eat pork, only poultry.
Compare with
Schwein vs Arschloch
asshole
'das Arschloch' and 'das Schwein' can both be used as insults for a person. Both words are derogatory, but 'Arschloch' is very vulgar and direct. You use it when insulting someone as mean, inconsiderate, or unfair. 'Schwein' can also be an insult, but it often means someone who behaves in a dirty, messy, or morally bad way. Learners may confuse the words because both describe people very negatively. The important point is: both words are insulting and should be used carefully, or not at all, in normal conversation.
Schwein
Sie war wütend und sagte, der Betrüger sei ein echtes Schwein.
She was angry and said the fraudster was a real pig.
Arschloch
Nach dem Streit nannte er seinen Kollegen ein Arschloch und bereute es sofort.
After the argument, he called his colleague an asshole and immediately regretted it.
In real life
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