other
in-law (prefix)
B1
'schwieger-' is a German prefix meaning 'in-law', used to form kinship compounds (e.g., Schwiegermutter = mother-in-law). Not a standalone word; attaches to kinship nouns. No inflection. Indicates relationship by marriage. Common in family vocabulary; spelled together with the base noun in standard compounds.
Examples
Die Familie bereitete ein Fest vor, weil die schwieger-Tochter aus dem Ausland ankommen sollte, und alle waren gespannt.
The family prepared a celebration because the daughter-in-law was supposed to arrive from abroad, and everyone was excited.
Das Präfix 'schwieger-' findet man in Wörtern wie 'Schwiegermutter'.
The prefix 'schwieger-' appears in words like 'Schwiegermutter' (mother-in-law).
Details
Mnemonics
Picture two families joining hands and a little hyphen between them: that hyphen is 'schwieger-' connecting in-laws.
Sounds a bit like 'sweeger' — imagine 'swee' sweeping someone into the family: an in-law being swept in.
Notes
This is a productive prefix used in compounds referring to relationships by marriage (e.g., Schwiegervater, Schwiegermutter, Schwiegerkind). It is not a standalone word and usually appears attached to another noun.