German word

Schlägerei

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃlɛːgəˈʁaɪ̯/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbrawl

Example

In der Innenstadt gab es letzte Nacht viele Schlägereien.

There were many brawls downtown last night.

Illustration for Schlägerei (brawl)

More examples

Die Security verhinderte eine Schlägerei.

Security prevented a brawl.

Core concept

Several people collide in a brief, chaotic burst of punches and blows.

Common phrases

  • in eine Schlägerei eingreifen

    intervene in a brawl

  • eine Schlägerei beenden

    end a brawl

Similar words

Prügelei: A short fight marked by people striking each other with their hands or fists.
Rauferei: A physical scuffle that starts over a minor provocation.
Handgemenge: A confused melee involving rough pushing, grappling, and scattered blows.

Definition in German

eine meist kurz andauernde, heftige körperliche Auseinandersetzung mehrerer Personen, bei der Schläge ausgetauscht werden

Word origin

Schlägerei is formed from schlagen, an inherited Germanic verb meaning 'to hit', plus -erei, a suffix that makes nouns for activities or incidents.

Usage tips

  • Schlägerei is feminine, and its plural is Schlägereien; in eine Schlägerei geraten takes the accusative after in.

Other meanings

  • fightnoun
  • fistfightnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word