How do you say Damage in German?

Today’s word is all about things going wrong. The German noun Schaden means damage, harm, or loss - whether you’re talking about a broken phone, a financial hit, or a bruised ego. It’s a word that shows up in insurance claims, everyday frustrations, and even some famous expressions. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, too!

Schaden is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der - der Schaden. Still fuzzy on gender? Our 5-minute gender video gives you a quick, memorable overview of der, die, and das - and shows you how to start getting them right every time.

Real conversations where Schaden might come up

You’ll hear Schaden any time something breaks, malfunctions, or goes unexpectedly wrong. It’s also used in idiomatic expressions and insurance language, like Schaden melden (report damage) or Schadenersatz (compensation for damages).

- Was ist passiert?- Ein Wasserrohr ist geplatzt. Großer Schaden im Keller.(“What happened?” - “A water pipe burst. Major damage in the basement.”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Timo: Oh nein, mein Handy ist runtergefallen!Lina: Ist es kaputt?Timo: Ja… großer Schaden am Display.

(Timo: Oh no, my phone fell down!Lina: Is it broken?Timo: Yes… major damage to the screen.)

Grammar in action: How to use Schaden

Here’s how Schaden appears across the four German cases:

• Nominative: Der Schaden ist nicht reparierbar.(The damage cannot be repaired.)

• Accusative: Ich melde den Schaden der Versicherung.(I’m reporting the damage to the insurance company.)

• Dative: Mit dem Schaden müssen wir leben.(We have to live with the damage.)

• Genitive: Die Ursache des Schadens ist unklar.(The cause of the damage is unclear.)

Want to feel more confident with these cases? Our plain-English grammar course explains everything step-by-step - ideal for learners who prefer clarity over complexity.