German Word of the Day: Schlacht

If you're imagining swords, chaos, and struggle — you've got the right idea. The German noun for battle is Schlacht, and it's every bit as intense as it sounds. From historical warfare to metaphorical everyday struggles, this word shows up more often than you'd expect.

Schlacht is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die — die Schlacht. If you're not totally sure how German genders work or want to finally get them straight in your head, don’t miss this super useful 5-minute video — it covers everything you need to know to stop guessing.

Real conversations where Schlacht might come up

While Schlacht originally meant a military battle, today it's also used figuratively to describe any exhausting or dramatic experience. Think of it as a word for when something feels like a war — even if it’s just dealing with bureaucracy.

– Wie war dein Tag?
– Eine einzige Schlacht. Ich hab mit drei Ämtern telefoniert, gleichzeitig gekocht und die Kinder ins Bett gebracht.
(“How was your day?” – “One big battle. I was on the phone with three government offices, cooked at the same time, and put the kids to bed.”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Anna: Was ist das für ein Film?
Ben: Es geht um eine große Schlacht im Mittelalter.
Anna: Oh, spannend! Ich mag Filme mit Rittern.

(Anna: What kind of movie is that?)
Ben: It’s about a big battle in the Middle Ages.
Anna: Oh, exciting! I like movies with knights.)

Grammar in action: How to use Schlacht

Here’s how Schlacht works across the four German cases:

• Nominative: Die Schlacht war brutal.
  (The battle was brutal.)

• Accusative: Ich erinnere mich an die Schlacht.
  (I remember the battle.)

• Dative: In der Schlacht verlor er seinen Helm.
  (In the battle, he lost his helmet.)

• Genitive: Der Verlauf der Schlacht war entscheidend.
  (The course of the battle was decisive.)

If cases feel confusing or intimidating, you’re not alone — but there’s help. Our quick and super-useful German grammar course explains the case system in plain English, with zero fluff and zero jargon. Perfect for anyone who hates grammar explanations but wants to understand how German works.

Other ways to say battle in German

The word Schlacht is dramatic — it implies scale, violence, or emotional intensity. If you're talking about a more general struggle, der Kampf is the go-to. It's used for anything from arguments to personal challenges (Kampf gegen den Krebs = fight against cancer). Another alternative is das Gefecht, a more technical or military term for small-scale engagements. But if you want to evoke a sense of historical weight or metaphorical drama, Schlacht is your best bet.

Word variations and tidbits

The word Schlacht is closely tied to the verb schlachten — to slaughter — which gives a good sense of its original meaning. You'll see Schlacht in compound words like Schlachtfeld (battlefield), Schlachtplan (battle plan), and Schlachtopfer (victim of the battle or slaughter). It’s also sometimes used in phrases like „die letzte große Schlacht“ (the last great battle), which can be either literal or poetic depending on context.

Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Schlacht

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