01
der Schwiegersohn
son-in-law
The husband of one's own daughter.
example
Am Wochenende besuchen uns unsere Tochter und unser Schwiegersohn.
Our daughter and our son-in-law are visiting us this weekend.
der Schwiegersohn
son-in-law
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure: Schwieger-
The word is made up of the prefix 'Schwieger-' and 'Sohn' (son). 'Schwieger-' always refers to a family relationship that comes about through marriage (in-law), not through blood relation.
EXAMPLE
Mein Schwiegersohn ist ein sehr netter Mensch.
My son-in-law is a very nice person.
The 'Schwieger' family
The prefix 'Schwieger-' is very useful. Once you have understood it, you can name the whole in-law family: 'die Schwiegermutter' (mother-in-law), 'der Schwiegervater' (father-in-law), and 'die Schwiegereltern' (parents-in-law).
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag treffen wir die ganze Familie, auch meine Schwiegereltern.
On Sunday we are meeting the whole family, including my parents-in-law.
Typical collocation
If the daughter is engaged but not yet married, people often say 'zukünftiger Schwiegersohn' (future son-in-law).
EXAMPLE
Mein zukünftiger Schwiegersohn kommt heute zum Abendessen.
My future son-in-law is coming for dinner today.
Compare with
Schwiegersohn vs Sohn
son
'der Sohn' and 'der Schwiegersohn' both belong to the family, but they do not mean the same relationship. 'der Sohn' is your own male child. 'der Schwiegersohn' is the husband of your own daughter. So he is part of the family through a marriage or partnership, but he is not your own child. Learners may confuse the words because both can be male family members from the parents' point of view. The simple guide is: the son is your child; the son-in-law is your daughter's partner.
Schwiegersohn
Ihr Schwiegersohn kocht heute für die ganze Familie.
Her son-in-law is cooking for the whole family today.
Sohn
Herr Lange besucht am Sonntag seinen Sohn in der neuen Wohnung.
Mr. Lange is visiting his son in the new apartment on Sunday.
In real life
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