Schwein
/ʃvaɪ̯n/
The English word swine is translated into German as Schwein.
Schwein is a noun referring to a pig. For specific contexts, note that Wildschwein refers to a wild boar, while the idiom Schwein gehabt haben means to be lucky or to have experienced a stroke of good fortune.
Meaning: pig (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Schwein is Schweine. In its singular form, the word remains unchanged when used in the accusative and dative cases.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃvaɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- Calling someone a Schwein can be a severe insult implying they are dirty or immoral, but saying Schwein gehabt describes a lucky escape.
- The German word Schwein is a cognate of the English word 'swine', as both descend from the Proto-West Germanic word *swīn.
- In German, the term Sau is often used instead of Schwein when referring specifically to a female pig or a sow.
Examples in context
- Wirf keine Perlen vor die Schweine.Cast not pearls before swine.This sentence uses Schwein in a proverb about casting pearls before swine.Tatoeba #12662016 by Augustus, translation #280733 by AlanF_US
- Das Schwein ist ein intelligentes Tier.The swine is an intelligent animal.
- Meine Oma hat ein Hausschwein.My grandma has a domestic pig.
- Das kleine Schweinchen liebt es, im Schlamm zu spielen.The little piggy loves to play in the mud.
- Die Ferkel tollen vergnügt im Stroh herum.The piglets frolic happily in the straw.
- Das kleine Schwein spielt im Matsch.The little pig is playing in the mud.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are visiting a farm.
- JuliaSchau mal, dort ist ein rosa Schwein!Look, there is a pink pig over there!
- FelixJa, es sieht sehr süß aus.Yes, it looks very cute.
- JuliaKann ich das Schwein füttern?Can I feed the pig?
- FelixIch glaube, der Bauer erlaubt das.I think the farmer allows that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Schwein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schwein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
