German · People & Family

"Sister-in-law" in German: Schwägerin

die Schwägerin

Say it: SHVAIR-ghinnfeminine · die Schwägerinnoun/ˈʃvɛːɡəʁɪn/

Sister-in-law in German is die Schwägerin, feminine. Plural is die Schwägerinnen. It covers your sibling’s wife or your spouse’s sister.

Family lunch

Meine Schwägerin bringt den Salat.
My sister-in-law is bringing the salad.
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How to pronounce Schwägerin

Say it

SHVAIR-ghinn

/ˈʃvɛːɡəʁɪn/

SHVAIR-ghinn. Soft ä. Soft final -in.

"Sister-in-law" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
die Schwägerinsister-in-law

Default.

meine Schwägerinmy sister-in-law

Possessive.

die Schwägerinnensisters-in-law

Plural.

Schwagerbrother-in-law

Related word.

How to use Schwägerin in real life

  1. 1Family lunch

    Meine Schwägerin bringt den Salat.

    My sister-in-law is bringing the salad.

    Meine Schwägerin.

  2. 2Introducing

    Das ist meine Schwägerin Lea.

    This is my sister-in-law Lea.

    Meine Schwägerin + name.

  3. 3Group

    Beide Schwägerinnen kommen mit.

    Both sisters-in-law are coming along.

    Schwägerinnen plural.

Mistakes English speakers make with Schwägerin

Incorrect: der Schwägerin (nominative)

Correct: die Schwägerin

Nominative is die Schwägerin.

Incorrect: Schwägerinen

Correct: Schwägerinnen

Plural needs -innen: Schwägerinnen.

Good to know

Schwägerin is the clear in-law label; after that many families use first names. It pairs with Schwager in wedding and holiday talk.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Holiday cooking

  1. ChatPal

    Hilft deine Schwägerin in der Küche?

    Is your sister-in-law helping in the kitchen?

  2. You

    Ja, meine Schwägerin schneidet Gemüse.

    Yes, my sister-in-law is chopping vegetables.

  3. ChatPal

    Super. Mag deine Schwägerin scharfes Essen?

    Great. Does your sister-in-law like spicy food?

  4. You

    Nein. Meine Schwägerin mag es mild.

    No. My sister-in-law likes it mild.

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"Sister-in-law" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Sister-in-law" in German

What gender is Schwägerin?

Feminine: die Schwägerin.

Plural?

Die Schwägerinnen.

Brother-in-law?

Der Schwager.

Who counts as Schwägerin?

Sibling’s wife or spouse’s sister.

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