Geschirr
/ɡəˈʃɪʁ/
The English word harness is translated into German as Geschirr.
To be specific about a harness for a dog, you should use Hundegeschirr.
Meaning: to control or put to use (verb)
Which one should you use?
While Geschirr refers to a harness, it is also the German word for tableware or crockery, such as dishes and plates. If you are talking about armor, the related term Harnisch is used instead. For general restraint or support, you might also encounter the words Pferdegeschirr or Gurt.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some dialects spoken in southwestern Germany, you may hear Gschirr used instead of Geschirr to refer to a harness.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈʃɪʁ/
Did you know?
- The word Geschirr is a cognate of the English word 'shear'. Both come from a root meaning 'to cut' or 'to trim', reflecting how leather straps for a harness were originally cut to size.
- In some regions, the word Geschirr is used colloquially to refer to any complex set of technical equipment or 'gear', even if it contains no leather straps.
- The phrase das Geschirr spülen means 'to wash the dishes'. Because Geschirr also means harness, a literal translation could mistakenly suggest someone is scrubbing leather horse gear.
Examples in context
- Es war weder ein Sattel noch ein Geschirr auf dem Pferd.There was neither a saddle nor a harness on the horse.This sentence is useful for showing how to use Geschirr when distinguishing between a saddle and a harness.Tatoeba #10491074 by MisterTrouser, translation #9402398 by AlanF_US
- Herr Müller, bitte bringen Sie das Geschirr für das Pferd.Mr. Müller, please bring the harness for the horse.
- Könntest du bitte das Hundegeschirr für Max mitbringen?Could you please bring Max's dog harness?
- Kannst du bitte das Geschirr für den Hund holen?Can you please get the harness for the dog?
- Mein Hund zieht immer so stark an der Hundeleine, ich überlege, ein Geschirr auszuprobieren.My dog always pulls so hard on the dog leash, I'm considering trying a harness.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are preparing their dog for a walk.
- MaximilianWo ist das Geschirr für unseren Hund?Where is the harness for our dog?
- JuliaEs liegt dort im Flur, Maximilian.It is lying there in the hallway, Maximilian.
- MaximilianIch finde das Geschirr einfach nicht.I simply cannot find the harness.
- JuliaHier ist es, nimm es bitte.Here it is, please take it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Geschirr, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Geschirr, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
