German word

Schmerz

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃmɛɐ̯ts/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpain

Example

Ich habe seit gestern starke Schmerzen.

I have been in severe pain since yesterday.

Illustration for Schmerz (pain)

More examples

Beim Treppensteigen bekam sie plötzlich Schmerzen im Bein.

While climbing the stairs, she suddenly felt pain in her leg.

Core concept

An inner alarm that marks hurt, whether it comes as one sudden stab or as suffering that remains for a long time.

Common phrases

  • starke Schmerzen

    severe pain

  • plötzliche Schmerzen

    sudden pain

  • Kopfschmerzen

    headaches

  • Schmerzen haben

    be in pain

Similar words

Stechen: A brief, sharp pain that feels like a prick or stab.
Ziehen: A dull, lasting pain that feels as if something is pulling.
Brennen: A hot, stinging pain that feels as if the skin or tissue is burning.
Pochen: A throbbing pain that pulses in time with the heartbeat.

Definition in German

Unangenehmes, meist sensorisches Empfinden im Körper oder in der Seele, das durch Verletzung, Krankheit oder andere Ursachen entsteht.

Word origin

The noun Schmerz is an inherited Germanic word from Old High German smerza and Middle High German smërze, with a distant connection to English smart meaning hurt.

Usage tips

  • Schmerz is masculine, so the definite forms are der Schmerz and die Schmerzen, not das Schmerz; the plural is especially common for bodily complaints.

Other meanings

  • sufferingnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word