schwanger
/ˈʃvaŋər/
The German word for pregnant is schwanger. Wiktionary also lists trächtig.
Meaning: carrying developing offspring within the body (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| schwanger | /ˈʃvaŋər/ |
| trächtig | /ˈtʁɛçtɪç/ (Germany) /ˈtʁɛçtɪk/ (Austria, Southern Germany, Switzerland) |
Both schwanger and trächtig mean carrying developing offspring within the body, but they are used in different contexts.
Which one should you use?
While schwanger is the word used for humans, trächtig is the standard technical term used for animals.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, schwanger follows standard German adjective declension rules when placed before a noun, such as eine schwangere Frau (a pregnant woman).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃvaŋər/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use the noun Schwangerschaft (pregnancy) where the adjective schwanger is required. For example, do not say Ich bin Schwangerschaft instead of Ich bin schwanger.
Did you know?
- English once had a direct relative of schwanger in the word 'swangor', though it has long since fallen out of use.
- German has a related word schwanger used metaphorically in the phrase schwanger mit einer Idee, meaning to be 'pregnant with an idea'.
- In German, the term trächtig is strictly for animals, and using it for a person is considered a grave insult or a joke.
Examples in context
- Tom, ich bin schwanger!Tom, I'm pregnant.This example shows how to announce a pregnancy using schwanger.Tatoeba #1791613 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1787053 by Spamster
- Sie ist nicht schwanger.She's not pregnant.This example shows how to use schwanger in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #5328497 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2869137 by Hybrid
- Du bist nicht schwanger.You're not pregnant.Tatoeba #7015953 by driini, translation #6384137 by OsoHombre
- Ich bin schwangerI am pregnant
- Wir bekommen ein BabyWe are having a baby
- Sie erwartet ihr erstes KindShe is expecting her first child
- Entschuldigen Sie die Frage, aber sind Sie schwanger?Excuse me for asking, but are you pregnant?
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Schwangerschaft!Congratulations on your pregnancy!
- 140 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia tells Felix her news at a cafe.
- JuliaFelix, ich bin schwanger!Felix, I am pregnant!
- FelixWirklich? Das sind tolle Neuigkeiten!Really? That is great news!
- JuliaJa, ich freue mich sehr.Yes, I am very happy.
- FelixIch freue mich auch für dich.I am happy for you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pregnant” translations and entries schwanger, trächtig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schwanger, trächtig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
