dizzy
der Schwindel
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dizzy
Having the feeling of dizziness; feeling light-headed or unsteady, as if everything is spinning. Used predicatively in the expression 'jemandem ist/wird schwindel' (someone is/becomes dizzy) and is a colloquial variant of 'schwindelig' (dizzy).
Wenn ich zu schnell aufstehe, wird mir manchmal kurz schwindel.
If I stand up too quickly, I sometimes get dizzy for a moment.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Schwindels |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Schwindel | – |
| accusative | den Schwindel | – |
| dative | dem Schwindel | – |
| genitive | des Schwindels | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
This word is used exclusively in the fixed expression 'jemandem ist schwindel' (someone is dizzy) or 'jemandem wird schwindel' (someone becomes dizzy). The person who has the feeling is always in the dative.
Mir wird auf dem Karussell immer schwindel.
I always get dizzy on the carousel.
Unlike most adjectives, 'schwindel' cannot stand before a noun. You cannot say '*ein schwindeler Mann'. It is always used after the noun it describes, predicatively.
Nach der langen Busfahrt war der Passagierin schwindel.
After the long bus ride, the female passenger was dizzy.
'Schwindel' is a common, colloquial variant of the standard adjective 'schwindelig' (dizzy). In spoken language, both forms are common.
Wenn ich von einer hohen Leiter herunterschaue, wird mir schwindel.
When I look down from a high ladder, I get dizzy.
fraud / cheating
In the meanings given here, „Betrug“ and „Schwindel“ are not related in the sense of a dubious business deal. „Betrug“ refers to deliberate deception for an unlawful advantage, whereas „Schwindel“ here means a feeling of dizziness. Therefore, use „Betrug“ for deception and „Schwindel“ for this physical sensation.
Nach der langen Fahrt bekam sie plötzlich einen starken Schwindel.
After the long drive, she suddenly became severely dizzy.
Die Polizei untersuchte den Betrug mit den angeblich sicheren Geldanlagen.
The police investigated the fraud involving the supposedly secure investments.
