The German word for castle or lock is das Schloss.
Context is everything here: when you’re walking past Schloss Neuschwanstein, it’s a palace. But when you’re locking your bike, it’s a Fahrradschloss (bike lock).

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and incredibly useful for travel, storytelling, and security talk.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a neuter noun: das Schloss.
This neutral gender is common for tools and places. Need help recognizing patterns? Our video lesson shows you how.

Pronunciation:
Schloss is pronounced [shloss]

• One syllable: “sh” like shoe, “loss” like floss

Note: The old spelling was Schloß with "ß", but the correct modern spelling is Schloss.

Example sentences

Wir haben ein schönes Schloss besichtigt.
We visited a beautiful castle.

Vergiss nicht, dein Schloss am Fahrrad zu benutzen.
Don’t forget to use your bike lock.

Das Schloss ist leider kaputt.
The lock is unfortunately broken.

Nuance and usage tips

🏰 Schloss as a castle usually refers to palaces or grand residences (not medieval fortresses, which are called Burg).

🔒 As a lock, it means any mechanism that secures something—door lock, padlock, bike lock, etc.

🛠️ You’ll hear Türschloss, Fahrradschloss, or Vorhängeschloss often.

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Wir fahren am Wochenende zu einem alten Schloss."
We’re visiting an old castle this weekend.

"Hast du den Schlüssel für das Schloss?"
Do you have the key to the lock?

"Das Schloss an meiner Tür klemmt."
The lock on my door is stuck.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Emma: Was ist das für ein Gebäude?
Leo: Das ist ein Schloss – da hat früher ein König gewohnt.
Emma: Wow! Und heute?
Leo: Heute ist es ein Museum.

Translation:
Emma: What kind of building is that?
Leo: That’s a castle – a king used to live there.
Emma: Wow! And today?
Leo: Now it’s a museum.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Das Schloss ist riesig.
The castle is huge.

Accusative:
Ich habe das Schloss geschlossen.
I locked the lock.

Dative:
Mit dem Schloss komm ich nicht klar.
I can’t figure out the lock.

Genitive:
Die Türen des Schlosses waren aus Holz.
The doors of the castle were made of wood.

Other ways to say castle or lock in German

For castle in the medieval sense (fortified), use die Burg. For lock as a verb, use abschließen (to lock) and der Schlüssel (the key). Schloss covers both noun senses—palatial and mechanical.

Word variations and tidbits

You’ll find Schloss in:

• Fahrradschloss – bike lock

• Türschloss – door lock

• Märchenschloss – fairytale castle

• Schlossturm – castle tower

• Wasserschloss – moated castle

• Schlossbesichtigung – castle tour

🧠 Fun fact: In many German cities, the central palace is still called Schloss, even if it's now a museum, university, or administrative building.

📘 Duden entry for Schloss:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Schloss
🎥 Want to unlock German vocabulary the smart way? Our video course teaches 1000 must-know nouns—palaces, padlocks, and all.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Notfall means? A broken Schloss can cause one.
And what about Probe? Even a Schloss needs one before a performance.