schwer
/ʃveːr/
The German word for heavy is schwer.
schwer is an adjective used to describe something that has great weight. Note that it can also be used to mean 'difficult' when referring to complexity or difficulty.
Meaning: having great weight (adj)
Which one should you use?
While schwer refers to weight, it is also used to express that something is difficult. If you want to describe something as being extremely heavy or powerful in an informal context, you might use the term Mächtig.
How does it change in a sentence?
The comparative form of schwer is schwerer (heavier). When used predicatively, the superlative form is am schwersten (heaviest).
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃveːr/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use schwer to mean 'hard' in a physical sense, such as a hard surface. For physical hardness, you should use hart instead.
Did you know?
- The German word schwer is a direct relative of the English word 'severe'. Both descend from the same root meaning 'grave' or 'serious'.
- To describe a 'heavy' accent, Germans use starker Akzent, meaning 'strong accent', rather than schwer.
- The phrase schwere Kost literally means 'heavy fare' or 'heavy food', but it is commonly used to describe a book or movie that is emotionally taxing or intellectually dense.
Examples in context
- Ich bin zu schwer.I'm too heavy.This sentence is useful for saying 'I'm too heavy' using schwer.Tatoeba #13424221 by Vortarulo, translation #11962419 by CK
- Wie schwer bist du?How heavy are you?This sentence is useful for asking 'How heavy are you?' using schwer.Tatoeba #8098005 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5004886 by CK
- Ihr seid zu schwer.You're too heavy.This sentence is useful for saying 'You're too heavy' using schwer.Tatoeba #13677854 by Waldelfe, translation #11892778 by Amastan
- Das Buch ist schwer.The book is heavy.
- Der Stein ist schwerThe stone is heavy
- Das schwere BuchThe heavy book
- Das Auto ist echt schwer.The car is really heavy.
- Diese Kiste ist mega schwer.This box is super heavy.
- Der Hammer ist mächtig schwer.The hammer is mighty heavy.
- 220 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are moving boxes into a new apartment.
- HannahIst der Karton sehr schwer?Is the box very heavy?
- FelixJa, er ist wirklich schwer.Yes, it is really heavy.
- HannahSoll ich dir helfen, Felix?Should I help you, Felix?
- FelixDas wäre sehr nett, Hannah.That would be very nice, Hannah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heavy” translations and entries schwer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schwer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
