Can “Gewehr” and “Waffe” be used interchangeably?
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It seems that "Gewehr" can mean gun, but also specifically rifles. Can "Gewehr" be used more generally to mean all guns, or does it only mean rifles specifically?
meaning
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
add a comment |
It seems that "Gewehr" can mean gun, but also specifically rifles. Can "Gewehr" be used more generally to mean all guns, or does it only mean rifles specifically?
meaning
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
Gewehr (gevär) is something resembling a rifle. Waffe could be any weapon. Atomwaffe for example atomic weapons.
– mathreadler
Feb 9 at 12:39
2
Certainly not in composite words. Luftwaffe and Luftgewehr are very distinct things.
– Jens
Feb 9 at 13:04
add a comment |
It seems that "Gewehr" can mean gun, but also specifically rifles. Can "Gewehr" be used more generally to mean all guns, or does it only mean rifles specifically?
meaning
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
It seems that "Gewehr" can mean gun, but also specifically rifles. Can "Gewehr" be used more generally to mean all guns, or does it only mean rifles specifically?
meaning
meaning
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
asked Feb 8 at 19:27
kevin_ten11kevin_ten11
1244
1244
Gewehr (gevär) is something resembling a rifle. Waffe could be any weapon. Atomwaffe for example atomic weapons.
– mathreadler
Feb 9 at 12:39
2
Certainly not in composite words. Luftwaffe and Luftgewehr are very distinct things.
– Jens
Feb 9 at 13:04
add a comment |
Gewehr (gevär) is something resembling a rifle. Waffe could be any weapon. Atomwaffe for example atomic weapons.
– mathreadler
Feb 9 at 12:39
2
Certainly not in composite words. Luftwaffe and Luftgewehr are very distinct things.
– Jens
Feb 9 at 13:04
Gewehr (gevär) is something resembling a rifle. Waffe could be any weapon. Atomwaffe for example atomic weapons.
– mathreadler
Feb 9 at 12:39
Gewehr (gevär) is something resembling a rifle. Waffe could be any weapon. Atomwaffe for example atomic weapons.
– mathreadler
Feb 9 at 12:39
2
2
Certainly not in composite words. Luftwaffe and Luftgewehr are very distinct things.
– Jens
Feb 9 at 13:04
Certainly not in composite words. Luftwaffe and Luftgewehr are very distinct things.
– Jens
Feb 9 at 13:04
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Gewehr today typically denotes any gun that has a long barrel (as opposed to a pistol). Rifles, machine guns, even shotguns.
And no, it is not the generic term for gun, that would be Schusswaffe.
The word Gewehr itself was actually part of the language before guns were even invented - It used to mean anything that could be used as a means of long-range defense before you got into a melee fight, so it included battlements, walls, towers, barricades, whatever (The Grimm has an extensive explanation on that). Over time, the meaning focused on guns but still anything that would not apply to melee battle.
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
2
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
1
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
3
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
1
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
2
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
|
show 14 more comments
Waffe = weapon
This can be a gun, a bomb, a missile, and many other things that are made to hurt or kill people.
Depending on the context, a Waffe also can be anything that can be used to hurt or kill people, independent of what it was made for - so a screwdriver, a baseball bat, or a box cutter can also be Waffen.
Gewehr = rifle, long gun
A Gewehr is any gun with a long barrel, i.e. something that shoots bullets, but not a pistol.
Schusswaffe = gun
Schusswaffe (literally: shoot-weapon) is the German word for any weapons that can be used to shoot bullets.
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
2
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
1
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
1
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
|
show 6 more comments
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Gewehr today typically denotes any gun that has a long barrel (as opposed to a pistol). Rifles, machine guns, even shotguns.
And no, it is not the generic term for gun, that would be Schusswaffe.
The word Gewehr itself was actually part of the language before guns were even invented - It used to mean anything that could be used as a means of long-range defense before you got into a melee fight, so it included battlements, walls, towers, barricades, whatever (The Grimm has an extensive explanation on that). Over time, the meaning focused on guns but still anything that would not apply to melee battle.
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
2
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
1
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
3
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
1
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
2
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
|
show 14 more comments
Gewehr today typically denotes any gun that has a long barrel (as opposed to a pistol). Rifles, machine guns, even shotguns.
And no, it is not the generic term for gun, that would be Schusswaffe.
The word Gewehr itself was actually part of the language before guns were even invented - It used to mean anything that could be used as a means of long-range defense before you got into a melee fight, so it included battlements, walls, towers, barricades, whatever (The Grimm has an extensive explanation on that). Over time, the meaning focused on guns but still anything that would not apply to melee battle.
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
2
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
1
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
3
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
1
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
2
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
|
show 14 more comments
Gewehr today typically denotes any gun that has a long barrel (as opposed to a pistol). Rifles, machine guns, even shotguns.
And no, it is not the generic term for gun, that would be Schusswaffe.
The word Gewehr itself was actually part of the language before guns were even invented - It used to mean anything that could be used as a means of long-range defense before you got into a melee fight, so it included battlements, walls, towers, barricades, whatever (The Grimm has an extensive explanation on that). Over time, the meaning focused on guns but still anything that would not apply to melee battle.
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
Gewehr today typically denotes any gun that has a long barrel (as opposed to a pistol). Rifles, machine guns, even shotguns.
And no, it is not the generic term for gun, that would be Schusswaffe.
The word Gewehr itself was actually part of the language before guns were even invented - It used to mean anything that could be used as a means of long-range defense before you got into a melee fight, so it included battlements, walls, towers, barricades, whatever (The Grimm has an extensive explanation on that). Over time, the meaning focused on guns but still anything that would not apply to melee battle.
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
edited Feb 9 at 10:15
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
answered Feb 8 at 19:31
tofrotofro
43.3k145131
43.3k145131
2
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
1
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
3
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
1
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
2
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
|
show 14 more comments
2
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
1
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
3
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
1
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
2
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
2
2
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
Add to that, "Waffe" would be akin to weapon, with the regular p>f correspondence
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:36
1
1
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
Since Wehr only means defense, there must be a particular language historic reason. Imaginably, pistols were an innovation taken from Italian, contrasting with the long builds. A Pistol is generically called "Handfeuerwaffe". In the same way, a "Schusswaffe" should, but practically doesn't denote an archers bow. In contrast to a bow, guns involve gun-fire, but we do not say "Feuerwaffe", though the term does seem to exist, to my surprise.
– vectory
Feb 8 at 19:38
3
3
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
@vectory Why do you say a bow isn't a Schusswaffe? If you asked me to name one, I'd probably name a type of gun first, but if you asked me what type of weapon a bow was, I'd definitely say Schusswaffe. The crossbow is another such case.
– Philipp
Feb 8 at 20:22
1
1
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
@JyrkiLahtonen A shotgun would definitely be a Gewehr
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:34
2
2
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
@JyrkiLahtonen look up „Schrotgewehr“
– tofro
Feb 9 at 9:42
|
show 14 more comments
Waffe = weapon
This can be a gun, a bomb, a missile, and many other things that are made to hurt or kill people.
Depending on the context, a Waffe also can be anything that can be used to hurt or kill people, independent of what it was made for - so a screwdriver, a baseball bat, or a box cutter can also be Waffen.
Gewehr = rifle, long gun
A Gewehr is any gun with a long barrel, i.e. something that shoots bullets, but not a pistol.
Schusswaffe = gun
Schusswaffe (literally: shoot-weapon) is the German word for any weapons that can be used to shoot bullets.
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
2
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
1
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
1
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
|
show 6 more comments
Waffe = weapon
This can be a gun, a bomb, a missile, and many other things that are made to hurt or kill people.
Depending on the context, a Waffe also can be anything that can be used to hurt or kill people, independent of what it was made for - so a screwdriver, a baseball bat, or a box cutter can also be Waffen.
Gewehr = rifle, long gun
A Gewehr is any gun with a long barrel, i.e. something that shoots bullets, but not a pistol.
Schusswaffe = gun
Schusswaffe (literally: shoot-weapon) is the German word for any weapons that can be used to shoot bullets.
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
2
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
1
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
1
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
|
show 6 more comments
Waffe = weapon
This can be a gun, a bomb, a missile, and many other things that are made to hurt or kill people.
Depending on the context, a Waffe also can be anything that can be used to hurt or kill people, independent of what it was made for - so a screwdriver, a baseball bat, or a box cutter can also be Waffen.
Gewehr = rifle, long gun
A Gewehr is any gun with a long barrel, i.e. something that shoots bullets, but not a pistol.
Schusswaffe = gun
Schusswaffe (literally: shoot-weapon) is the German word for any weapons that can be used to shoot bullets.
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
Waffe = weapon
This can be a gun, a bomb, a missile, and many other things that are made to hurt or kill people.
Depending on the context, a Waffe also can be anything that can be used to hurt or kill people, independent of what it was made for - so a screwdriver, a baseball bat, or a box cutter can also be Waffen.
Gewehr = rifle, long gun
A Gewehr is any gun with a long barrel, i.e. something that shoots bullets, but not a pistol.
Schusswaffe = gun
Schusswaffe (literally: shoot-weapon) is the German word for any weapons that can be used to shoot bullets.
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
edited Feb 9 at 8:50
V2Blast
1173
1173
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
answered Feb 8 at 20:56
Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast
72.6k6106240
72.6k6106240
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
2
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
1
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
1
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
|
show 6 more comments
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
2
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
1
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
1
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
German language (and law) makes a clear distiction between a weapon, made for the purpose (a gun, a spring knive, a crossbow), and sth. that is just used as one in a given case (screwdriver, axe, bow and arrow ,..).
– Karl
Feb 8 at 23:10
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
However, a "Seitengewehr" is a bayonet - a cold weapon, not a gun at all. Also note that if you look at the word Gewehr without context, it seems to mean "defense-stuff" without any mention of shooting :)
– rackandboneman
Feb 9 at 9:49
2
2
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
@rackandboneman That is a historical development. "Gewehr" used to denote anything you use for defense, even before guns were invented. Today, it (nearly) exclusively refers to guns. "Seitengewehr" is not a common usage today and even most native speakers will be confused to learn it's no gun at all.
– tofro
Feb 9 at 11:50
1
1
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
@Karl: I somewhat disagree concerning language. A statement like "Eilig sah sie sich nach einer Waffe um und nahm einen der Schraubenzieher von der Werkbank." sounds completely idiomatic and it is clear that the screwdriver is her weapon (because she intends to use it as such).
– O. R. Mapper
Feb 9 at 14:46
1
1
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
Why are you discussing? I clearly wrote »Depending on the context« in my answer, and you all argue, that it depends on the context if you can call a screwdriver a weapon. But that is exactly what I've written. So, what is the purpose of your discussion?
– Hubert Schölnast
Feb 9 at 16:57
|
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Gewehr (gevär) is something resembling a rifle. Waffe could be any weapon. Atomwaffe for example atomic weapons.
– mathreadler
Feb 9 at 12:39
2
Certainly not in composite words. Luftwaffe and Luftgewehr are very distinct things.
– Jens
Feb 9 at 13:04