Schwestern

Schwestern is a German noun meaning sisters. It is the plural form of Schwester, the feminine singular for sister. In everyday language, Schwestern refers to two or more female siblings in a family. The term can also denote female members of religious orders, such as nuns, particularly when used with descriptors like Ordensschwester (religious sister) or when referring to a group of nuns as Die Schwestern.

In addition to family and religious usage, Schwestern has historical and occupational senses. In hospital contexts, the term has been used to address or refer to female nurses, for example Die Schwestern auf der Station (the sisters on the ward). This usage is more common in older or formal German and in certain regional varieties, though it remains recognizable today.

Etymologically, Schwestern is related to the same Germanic root as the English word sister, reflecting a common lineage within the Germanic languages. The word should not be confused with Geschwister, which is a gender-neutral term meaning siblings and can refer to brothers and/or sisters collectively.

In cultural and linguistic contexts, Schwestern often appears in literature, film, and media as a straightforward reference to female siblings or to groups of nuns. The term thus functions with both familial and institutional meanings, depending on context.