Singular

der

Schwager

Q: Is it der, die, or das Schwager?

It is der Schwager. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Schwager is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

Q: What is the plural of der Schwager?

The plural form of der Schwager is die Schwäger. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

Q: What does der Schwager mean in English?

The German word der Schwager translates to “brother-in-law” in English.

Q: How do you decline der Schwager?

Like all German nouns, Schwager changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: der Schwager Akkusativ: den Schwager Dativ: dem Schwager Genitiv: des Schwagers These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.

brother-in-law

Plural: die Schwäger

Strong

Why does the noun Schwager have the article der?

Nouns referring to male persons are masculine.

Examples

der Mann (man), der Vater (father), der Bruder (brother), der Sohn (son), der Onkel (uncle), der Neffe (nephew), der Großvater (grandfather)

View all words for this rule

Declension table for German noun Schwager

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	der Schwager	ein Schwager	kein Schwager
Akkusativ	den Schwager	einen Schwager	keinen Schwager
Dativ	dem Schwager	einem Schwager	keinem Schwager
Genitiv	des Schwagers	eines Schwagers	keines Schwagers
Nominativ	die Schwäger	Schwäger	keine Schwäger
Akkusativ	die Schwäger	Schwäger	keine Schwäger
Dativ	den Schwägern	Schwägern	keinen Schwägern
Genitiv	der Schwäger	Schwäger	keiner Schwäger

Examples in context

Real sentences using Schwager in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Der junge Schwager ist sehr nett.The young brother-in-law is very nice.	Ein neuer Schwager kommt heute an.A new brother-in-law arrives today.	Kein alter Schwager wohnt hier.No old brother-in-law lives here.
Akkusativ	Ich besuche den lieben Schwager.I visit the dear brother-in-law.	Er hat einen kleinen Schwager.He has a small brother-in-law.	Wir kennen keinen großen Schwager.We know no big brother-in-law.
Dativ	Ich helfe dem jungen Schwager gern.I like to help the young brother-in-law.	Er spricht mit einem neuen Schwager.He talks to a new brother-in-law.	Ich gebe keinem alten Schwager Geld.I give no old brother-in-law money.
Genitiv	Das ist das Auto des lieben Schwagers.That is the car of the dear brother-in-law.	Das ist das Buch eines eines kleinen Schwagers.That is the book of a small brother-in-law.	Der Name keines keines großen Schwagers ist bekannt.The name of no big brother-in-law is known.
Nominativ	Die jungen Schwäger sind sehr nett.The young brothers-in-law are very nice.	Neue Schwäger kommen oft zu Besuch.New brothers-in-law often visit.	Keine alten Schwäger leben in dieser Stadt.No old brothers-in-law live in this city.
Akkusativ	Wir besuchen die lieben Schwäger bald.We will visit the dear brothers-in-law soon.	Ich habe kleine Schwäger.I have small brothers-in-law.	Er kennt keine großen Schwäger.He knows no big brothers-in-law.
Dativ	Ich spreche mit den jungen Schwägern oft.I often talk to the young brothers-in-law.	Er hilft neuen Schwägern gern.He likes to help new brothers-in-law.	Wir geben keinen alten Schwägern Geschenke.We give no old brothers-in-law gifts.
Genitiv	Das ist das Haus der lieben Schwäger.That is the house of the dear brothers-in-law.	Das ist das Auto kleiner Schwäger.That is the car of small brothers-in-law.	Die Namen keiner großen Schwäger sind bekannt.The names of no big brothers-in-law are known.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Schwager?

It is der Schwager. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Schwager is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of der Schwager?

The plural form of der Schwager is die Schwäger. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does der Schwager mean in English?

The German word der Schwager translates to “brother-in-law” in English.

How do you decline der Schwager?

Like all German nouns, Schwager changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: der Schwager
Akkusativ: den Schwager
Dativ: dem Schwager
Genitiv: des Schwagers

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.