Schwanz

Schwanz is a German noun with two principal meanings. In its literal sense, der Schwanz refers to the tail of an animal or to the trailing end of a thing. It is commonly used in everyday language and natural descriptions, as in Der Hund wedelt mit dem Schwanz. In neutral or scientific contexts, the term Schweif is often preferred for describing tails or tail-like structures in animals, while Schwänze is used for the everyday term.

In addition to its literal sense, Schwanz is a vulgar slang term for the penis. In contemporary German, it is widely understood but considered coarse or inappropriate in polite conversation. Its use is more common in informal speech, jokes, or explicit writing, and many speakers choose more neutral terms such as Glied or penis in formal contexts.

Etymology and usage notes: Schwanz derives from historic Germanic roots related to a tail or end-part. The word has retained a strong colloquial register in modern German, whereas Schweif remains the standard neutral term in many technical or descriptive settings. The word is masculine in gender (der Schwanz) and forms the plural Schwänze.

See also: Schweif, Körperteil, Slang. Notes on usage emphasize exercise of discretion in choosing terminology according to context and audience.