German word

Schicksal

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃɪkˌzaːl/

Meaning

  • neuter nounfate

Example

Viele erleben unerwartete Schicksale im Leben.

Many people experience unexpected twists of fate in life.

Illustration for Schicksal (fate)

More examples

Manchmal muss man das Schicksal annehmen.

Sometimes one has to accept fate.

Core concept

A person's life carried along by events that resist personal control.

Common phrases

  • das Schicksal annehmen

    accept fate

  • dem Schicksal ausgeliefert sein

    be at the mercy of fate

Similar words

Zufall: An unexpected event caused by chance or coincidence.
Unglück: An unhappy state resulting from bad events or outcomes.
Glück: A favorable run of events bringing good fortune.
Schicksalsschlag: A sudden, serious event that profoundly disrupts a person's life.

Definition in German

Schicksal bezeichnet die Gesamtheit von Ereignissen und Umständen, die das Leben einer Person bestimmen und meist außerhalb ihrer Kontrolle liegen.

Word origin

Schicksal comes from Middle High German schickesal, formed from schicken, meaning 'send' or 'arrange', with the abstract noun suffix -sal.

Usage tips

  • Schicksal is neuter, so its basic forms are das Schicksal and die Schicksale, with the plural used for individual fates or life experiences.

Other meanings

  • destinynoun
  • fortunenoun

Opposites

  • Zufallchancenoun
  • Willensfreiheitfree willnoun

Related words

  • schicksalhaftfatefuladjective
  • Schicksalsschlagblow of fatenoun
  • schicksalsergebenresigned to fateadjective

Word lists with this word