Schwiegermutter
/ˈʃviːɡɐˌmʊtɐ/feminine
The German phrase for mother-in-law is Schwiegermutter. Wiktionary also lists Schwäherin.
Meaning: spouse's mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Schwiegermutter | /ˈʃviːɡɐˌmʊtɐ/ | feminine |
| Schwäherin | feminine, obsolete |
Schwiegermutter is the standard, neutral noun used to refer to the mother of one's spouse.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Mutter (mother) and a prefix schwieger-, which is etymologically derived from an old root meaning 'spouse'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Southern Germany, Schwiegermutti is a popular variation of Schwiegermutter.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Schwiegermutter is Schwiegermütter.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃviːɡɐˌmʊtɐ/
Did you know?
- The root of Schwiegermutter comes from a Proto-Indo-European term that specifically meant 'woman's mother-in-law', distinguishing it from the term for a 'man's mother-in-law'.
- In German culture, the stereotype of the Schwiegermutter as a controlling or critical figure is a recurring trope in comedy and folk songs.
- German has distinct terms for 'in-laws' that don't rely on the word 'law', such as Schwiegereltern for parents-in-law.
Examples in context
- Meine Schwiegermutter ist eine wunderbare Frau.My mother-in-law is a wonderful woman.
- Meine Schwiegermutter kommt heute zu Besuch.My mother-in-law is coming to visit today.
- Ich habe ein Geschenk für meine Schwiegermutter gekauft.I bought a gift for my mother-in-law.
- Wie geht es deiner Schwiegermutter?How is your mother-in-law doing?
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are planning a dinner party.
- LukasSollen wir meine Schwiegermutter auch einladen?Should we invite my mother-in-law too?
- HannahJa, das ist eine sehr gute Idee.Yes, that is a very good idea.
- LukasIch rufe sie gleich heute Abend an.I will call her this evening.
- HannahSuper, sie freut sich bestimmt sehr.Great, she will surely be very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother-in-law” translations and entries Schwiegermutter, Schwäherin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schwiegermutter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
