die Schwiegermutter
mother-in-law
The mother of one's husband or wife.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende besuchen wir meine Schwiegermutter auf dem Land.
At the weekend, we're visiting my mother-in-law in the countryside.
die Schwiegermutter
mother-in-law
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The part 'Schwieger-' (in-law) refers to a family relationship created through marriage. You can also use this pattern for other family members: 'Schwiegervater' (father-in-law), 'Schwiegersohn' (son-in-law), 'Schwiegertochter' (daughter-in-law).
EXAMPLE
Mein Schwiegervater und meine Schwiegermutter kommen aus Italien.
My father-in-law and my mother-in-law are from Italy.
Usage pattern
To make the relationship clear, the word is usually used with a possessive pronoun (meine, deine, seine ...) or with the genitive.
EXAMPLE
Meine Schwiegermutter kocht den besten Apfelkuchen.
My mother-in-law makes the best apple cake.
Cultural context
The figure of the mother-in-law is, in German-speaking countries as in other cultures, a common character in jokes and clichés. These jokes often deal with a difficult relationship between the mother-in-law and the son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
EXAMPLE
Er erzählte einen alten Witz über seine Schwiegermutter.
He told an old joke about his mother-in-law.
In real life
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