Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Schlacht | /ʃlaxt/ | feminine |
| Kampf | /kam(p)f/ | masculine |
| Gefecht | /ɡəˈfɛçt/ | neuter |
German uses different nouns depending on the scale and nature of the encounter. You can use the phrase In den Kampf ziehen to mean 'to go into battle' or Den Sieg erringen to mean 'to achieve victory'. Related verbs include kämpfen for joining in battle or contending in a fight, while bekämpfen and bekriegen are used for assailing someone in battle or fighting a specific enemy.
Which one should you use?
Schlacht refers to a large-scale, often decisive military engagement or a massive, metaphorical struggle. Kampf is a more general term for a fight, struggle or combat. It can be used for physical fighting or abstract struggles, such as a 'struggle for rights'. Gefecht refers to a smaller-scale encounter or a skirmish rather than a full-scale battle.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Schlacht is feminine and takes the article die in the nominative case. The noun Kampf is masculine and takes the article der in the nominative case. The noun Gefecht is neuter and takes the article das in the nominative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃlaxt/
Did you know?
- The German word Schlacht shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'slaughter'. Both words trace back to a root meaning 'to strike' or 'to hit'.
Examples in context
- Er starb im Kampf.He died in battle.This sentence is useful for showing how someone died in Kampf.Tatoeba #2720492 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2720485 by Hybrid
- Tom fiel im Kampf.Tom was killed in battle.This sentence is useful for showing how someone was killed in Kampf.Tatoeba #5243250 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3856799 by Amastan
- Die Schlacht geht weiter!The battle goes on!This sentence is useful for showing the continuation of a Schlacht.Tatoeba #4775278 by Germic, translation #1725551 by belgavox
- Die Schlacht von Waterloo war ein entscheidender Moment in der europäischen Geschichte.The Battle of Waterloo was a pivotal moment in European history.
- Ich habe mich heute Morgen in einem heftigen Konflikt mit meinem Kollegen wiedergefunden.I found myself in a heated battle with my colleague this morning.
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are visiting a history museum.
- FelixDiese Schlacht war sehr blutig.This battle was very bloody.
- SarahJa, viele Soldaten sind gestorben.Yes, many soldiers died.
- FelixWer hat die Schlacht gewonnen?Who won the battle?
- SarahDie Armee aus dem Norden.The army from the north.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “battle” translations and entries Schlacht, Kampf, Gefecht, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gefecht, Kampf, Schlacht, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
