The German word Stichwort is a compound noun formed from Stich meaning "stab" or "thitch" and Wort meaning "word." One of the most common meanings of Stichwort is “keyword.” In this sense, it refers to a significant word used to summarize the main idea of a text or to index content. Dictionaries, for example, are organized alphabetically by Stichwörter, and in databases or search engines, Stichwort designates the term you use to locate specific information. A sentence like Gib mir bitte ein Stichwort, damit ich den Artikel finden kann (“Give me a keyword so I can find the article”) illustrates this use. In writing, especially academic or journalistic, the term often appears when referring to indexing or organizing content.
In spoken German, Stichwort is also used in a more interactive way to mean a verbal cue. For example, during a conversation or interview, one person might say Danke für das Stichwort, meaning “Thanks for the cue,” when the other person’s words trigger a thought or allow them to transition into a planned point. This usage is particularly common in panel discussions, media interviews, or any setting where structured speaking is involved. It mirrors the theatrical sense of a cue given to an actor, which is actually one of the historical roots of the word.
In journalistic and analytical writing, especially in German media, Stichwort is often used parenthetically or as a brief aside to introduce an example, a keyword, or a reference point that encapsulates a broader, often complex idea. This usage doesn’t aim to explain the topic in detail, but rather to evoke it concisely, assuming the reader is already familiar with the context or can infer it.
When a phrase like Stichwort XYZ appears in a sentence, it functions almost like an intellectual shorthand. The main clause will state a general observation or claim, and Stichwort introduces a specific example or case that illustrates the point without breaking the flow of the argument. It's as if the author is saying, “Just think of this example,” or “A key concept here is...” but in a compressed and stylistically compact way. For example: "Viele Städte stoßen an ihre Kapazitätsgrenzen – Stichwort Wohnungsnot – und können dem Zuzug kaum noch gerecht werden." (Many cities are reaching their capacity limits – keyword: housing shortage – and can hardly keep up with incoming residents).
Theatrical origins go back to Stichwortgeber, the prompter who provided lines to actors when they forgot them. From this, Stichwort took on the meaning of a signal or prompt. In everyday speech, this sense is often used metaphorically, and the phrase jemandem das Stichwort geben means “to cue someone” or to provide them with the opening they need to begin speaking or to bring up a topic. It implies a certain coordination in dialogue, and this phrase is typically used in contexts involving cooperation or well-rehearsed exchange.
The word is grammatically neuter—das Stichwort—and its plural is die Stichworte or die Stichwörter. Both forms are correct, but there is a tendency to use Stichwörter when the emphasis is on language and meaning (as in dictionary entries), and Stichworte when referring to cues or prompts. The distinction is subtle and not rigid, but it can be noticeable in more careful or edited writing.
Alternative expressions depend on context. For instance, instead of Stichwort in the sense of a cue, one might use Hinweis (“hint” or “indication”) if the emphasis is more on direction or instruction, though Hinweis lacks the spontaneity and dialogic quality of Stichwort. If referring to a topic or subject, Thema might replace Stichwort, but Thema implies a broader, more developed concept. Signalwort can be a substitute in educational contexts, especially in grammar or safety training, but it’s more specific and carries a technical tone.