The German verb schicken translates as "to send" and serves as the foundation for a fascinating family of words in German that go beyond just the idea of sending. This root conveys broader meanings such as "fittingness," "appropriateness," and even "destiny," which evolve into unique concepts when paired with different prefixes and suffixes.
One prominent word that derives from schicken is das Schicksal, meaning "fate" or "destiny." The root here reflects the notion of something that is "sent" or assigned by forces beyond one’s control. Schicksal implies a life path or series of events that seem inevitable, almost as if "sent" by a higher power. For instance, in the sentence "Es war sein Schicksal, in dieser Stadt zu bleiben" ("It was his fate to stay in this city"), Schicksal embodies the sense of an unavoidable life journey or predetermined events.
Another word from this root is Geschick. From the same root, Geschick originally referred to something like "preparedness" or "readiness," as in being well-equipped or having what is needed. Over time, it took on the meaning of "skill" or "aptitude," indicating the capabilities that one "has been given" or "sent" in life. An example sentence like "Sie hat ein großes Geschick für Musik" ("She has a great aptitude for music") shows Geschick in the sense of a natural ability or talent.
The reflexive verb sich schicken provides a slightly different take on the root’s meaning, translating as "to be appropriate" or "to be fitting." Here, the verb form schicken evolves to describe actions or behaviors that are appropriate for a given context. The expression "Es schickt sich nicht, laut zu sprechen" ("It is not appropriate to speak loudly") illustrates the verb’s role in emphasizing social appropriateness. Sich schicken therefore taps into the notion of "fittingness," highlighting actions that align with social norms or expectations.
Moving into the realm of appearance, schick is a commonly used adjective that means "stylish" or "elegant." Here, the original idea of something "fitting" or "suitable" becomes associated with a sense of style that is socially admired. A sentence like "Sie sieht sehr schick aus" ("She looks very stylish") captures schick as a compliment on one’s appearance. The root also gives rise to Schickimicki, a playful, colloquial term for someone who is overly focused on appearances, possibly to the point of pretentiousness. It’s often used to describe people who try to display a sense of luxury or high social standing, even if it feels exaggerated or artificial.
On the opposite end, unschicklich combines schick with the prefix un-, creating a word that means "improper" or "indecent." Where schicklich would indicate something proper or well-suited to a situation, unschicklich denotes the opposite—a behavior or appearance considered inappropriate or unfitting. An example sentence might be "Sein Verhalten war unschicklich für eine solche Veranstaltung" ("His behavior was improper for such an event"). In this way, unschicklich connects the root’s concept of suitability with the idea of socially unacceptable actions.