schlucken
/ˈʃlʊkən/
To swallow in German is schlucken.
The verb schlucken means to cause something to pass from the mouth into the stomach. Much like in English, it can be used metaphorically to mean swallowing a bitter pill or accepting a difficult truth.
Meaning: to cause to pass from the mouth into the stomach (verb)
Which one should you use?
While schlucken is the verb meaning to swallow, the noun Schwalbe refers to the bird (swallow) and is a different word.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form is schluckt. The simple past form is schluckte, and the past participle is geschluckt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃlʊkən/
Did you know?
- In German, if a car consumes too much fuel, it is said to schlucken the gasoline. This treats the engine like a thirsty throat consuming liquid.
- The word schlucken is likely onomatopoeic, meaning it was originally created to mimic the actual sound of the swallowing action.
- While schlucken is the verb for the act of swallowing, the noun Schluck is used to mean 'a sip'. This allows Germans to describe taking a small amount of a drink as taking a 'swallow'.
Examples in context
- Tom musste die Kröte schlucken.Tom had to swallow the frog.This sentence shows how to use schlucken with a direct object.Tatoeba #8201657 by wolfgangth, translation #5237832 by Adelpa
- Mir tut beim Schlucken der Hals weh.My throat hurts when I swallow.This sentence demonstrates using schlucken as a gerund or noun-like form in a phrase.Tatoeba #3256951 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #268673 by CK
- Pillen muss man schlucken, nicht kauen.You must swallow pills, not chew them.This sentence provides an instruction on how to use schlucken for pills.Tatoeba #2141727 by Esperantostern, translation #7155801 by Kiwi
- Die Patientin musste die Medizin schlucken.The patient had to swallow the medicine.
- Bitte nehmen Sie die Tablette mit Wasser ein.Please swallow the tablet with water.
- Trink bitte langsam und schlucke ordentlich.Please drink slowly and swallow properly.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah is helping Maximilian take a pill.
- SarahKannst du die Tablette schlucken?Can you swallow the tablet?
- MaximilianNein, sie ist viel zu groß.No, it is much too big.
- SarahTrink viel Wasser, dann geht es.Drink plenty of water, then it will work.
- MaximilianJetzt konnte ich sie endlich schlucken.Now I was finally able to swallow it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swallow” translations and entries schlucken, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schlucken, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
