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Vocab: Weather — A2 ​
Weather vocabulary at A2 level.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
der Donner — thunder; boom, rumble ​
Donner normally means the sound of thunder, not the lightning itself. The plural die Donner is uncommon but possible when separate thunderclaps or sounds are meant.
Der Donner ist sehr laut.
The thunder is very loud.
laut means “loud,” and sehr means “very.” Der Donner is nominative because it is the subject, and the verb ist is in position two.
Ich höre den Donner.
I hear the thunder.
höre means “hear.” Den Donner is accusative because it is the object of hören; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Bei dem Donner wacht das Baby auf.
The baby wakes up when there is thunder.
bei means “during/with” and always takes the dative; das Baby is “the baby,” and wacht auf means “wakes up.” Therefore dem Donner is dative, and the separable verb aufwachen splits in the main clause.
Die Stärke des Donners erschreckt mich.
The force of the thunder frightens me.
die Stärke means “the force,” and erschreckt means “frightens.” Des Donners is genitive because it describes the force belonging to the thunder; mich is accusative because I am the person affected.
Die Donner waren in der Ferne zu hören.
The thunderclaps could be heard in the distance.
in der Ferne means “in the distance,” and zu hören means “audible/to be heard.” Die Donner is plural; the noun itself does not change, so only the article and the verb waren show the plural.
Ein lauter Donner kam aus dem Keller.
A loud boom came from the cellar.
laut means “loud,” kam means “came,” and der Keller is “the cellar.” Ein Donner is nominative because it is the subject, and kam is in position two.
Der Donner der Explosion lieĂź die Fenster zittern.
The boom of the explosion made the windows shake.
die Explosion means “the explosion,” ließ means “made/let,” and zittern means “shake.” Der Explosion is genitive in the phrase “the boom of the explosion,” while die Fenster is accusative as the object of ließ.
donnern — to thunder, to boom; to rumble, to boom loudly ​
For weather, donnern is usually used impersonally with es, as in Es donnert. It can also describe a person, machine, or sound making a deep boom; the perfect takes haben.
Im Sommer donnern die Gewitter oft.
In summer, thunderstorms often rumble.
im Sommer means “in summer,” and die Gewitter means “the thunderstorms.” The finite verb donnern is in position two and has a plural subject, die Gewitter.
In der Nacht hat es gedonnert.
There was thunder during the night.
in der Nacht means “during the night,” and es is a formal subject in this weather expression. The perfect uses hat plus gedonnert with haben; the participle stands at the end.
Gestern donnerte es den ganzen Abend.
It thundered all evening yesterday.
gestern means “yesterday,” and den ganzen Abend means “all evening.” The regular preterite donnerte is in position two, followed by the formal weather subject es.
Donner nicht so laut!
Don’t boom so loudly!
nicht so laut means “not so loudly.” Donner is the informal singular imperative, formed from the stem without -n; this command is playful or dramatic because people do not normally command the weather.
Wenn die Wolken dunkler wären, würde es wahrscheinlich donnern.
If the clouds were darker, it would probably thunder.
wenn means “if,” die Wolken means “the clouds,” dunkler means “darker,” and wahrscheinlich means “probably.” In the wenn clause, wären goes to the end; in the second clause, würde is in position two and the infinitive donnern goes to the end.
Heute Abend wird es wieder donnern.
It will thunder again this evening.
heute Abend means “this evening,” and wieder means “again.” Wird is the finite form of werden in position two, while the infinitive donnern stands at the end of the future verb bracket.
Der Zug donnerte durch den Bahnhof.
The train thundered through the station.
der Zug means “the train,” and der Bahnhof means “the station.” Durch takes the accusative, so den Bahnhof is accusative; donnerte is in position two.
Die Musik donnerte aus den Lautsprechern.
The music boomed from the speakers.
die Musik means “the music,” and die Lautsprecher means “the speakers.” Aus takes the dative, so den Lautsprechern is dative; the finite verb donnerte is in position two.
feucht — damp; humid; moist ​
feucht usually means slightly wet, while nass means thoroughly wet. For air or climate, feucht means humid.
Das Handtuch ist feucht.
The towel is damp.
das Handtuch means the towel. feucht follows ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich brauche ein feuchtes Tuch.
I need a damp cloth.
brauchen means to need, and das Tuch means the cloth. ein feuchtes Tuch is the accusative object of brauche; the neuter adjective takes -es after ein.
Die Luft hier ist feuchter als drauĂźen.
The air here is more humid than outside.
die Luft means the air, hier means here, and drauĂźen means outside. feuchter compares the air here with the air outside and follows ist as a predicative comparative.
Im Keller ist es am feuchtesten.
It is dampest in the basement.
im Keller means in the basement, and es is the formal subject. im is in dem and takes the dative for a location; am feuchtesten is the predicative superlative after ist.
der Föhn — hairdryer; föhn wind ​
Der Föhn has two common meanings: a hairdryer and a warm, dry Alpine wind. The plural Föhne normally refers to hairdryers; the wind meaning is usually used as an uncountable singular weather term.
Der Föhn steht im Badezimmer.
The hairdryer is in the bathroom.
steht means is standing or is located, and im Badezimmer means in the bathroom. Der Föhn is the nominative subject, and the finite verb steht is in position two.
Ich nehme den Föhn mit.
I’m taking the hairdryer with me.
nehme ... mit means take along, and mit means with. Den Föhn is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the separable verb mitnehmen splits, with nehme in position two and mit at the end.
Mit dem Föhn trockne ich meine Haare.
I dry my hair with the hairdryer.
mit means with, trocknen means dry, and meine Haare means my hair. Mit takes the dative, so der Föhn becomes dem Föhn; the phrase comes first, but trockne still occupies position two.
Die Leistung des Föhns ist gut.
The hairdryer’s power is good.
die Leistung means the power or performance, and gut means good. Des Föhns is genitive and shows possession; the masculine article is des and the noun has -s.
Im Laden stehen viele Föhne.
There are many hairdryers in the shop.
im Laden means in the shop, stehen means are standing or are located, and viele means many. Föhne is the plural after viele; the plural subject makes the verb stehen, not singular steht.
Ein starker Föhn bringt warme Luft.
A strong föhn wind brings warm air.
ein starker Föhn means a strong föhn wind, and warme Luft means warm air. Here Föhn has the weather meaning, so it is normally singular; ein starker has the masculine nominative ending -er.
das Gewitter — thunderstorm ​
Das Gewitter means thunderstorm and normally includes Donner, thunder, and Blitz, lightning, often with rain. Do not confuse it with der Regen, which means rain and does not necessarily include thunder or lightning.
Das Gewitter kommt heute Abend.
The thunderstorm is coming this evening.
kommt means is coming, and heute Abend means this evening. Das Gewitter is the nominative subject, and the finite verb kommt stands in position two.
Wir beobachten das Gewitter vom Balkon aus.
We watch the thunderstorm from the balcony.
beobachten means watch, vom Balkon means from the balcony, and aus adds the idea of viewing from a place. Das Gewitter is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; aus is part of the separable expression von ... aus and stands at the end.
Bei dem Gewitter bleiben wir zu Hause.
We stay at home during the thunderstorm.
bei means during or near, bleiben means stay, and zu Hause means at home. Bei always takes the dative, so dem Gewitter is dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, putting bleiben in position two before wir.
Wegen des Gewitters fällt der Strom aus.
Because of the thunderstorm, the power goes out.
wegen means because of, fällt ... aus means goes out, and der Strom means the electricity or power. Wegen takes the genitive in careful standard German, so des Gewitters is genitive; the separable verb ausfallen splits in the main clause.
Im Sommer gibt es oft Gewitter.
There are often thunderstorms in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, oft means often, and gibt es means there are. Gewitter is plural here because of the meaning and the absence of a singular article; after es gibt, the object is accusative, although the plural form has no visible ending.
der Hagel — hail ​
Hagel is normally an uncountable weather noun and has no ordinary plural. The related verb is hageln, used in the weather phrase es hagelt.
Der Hagel fällt auf das Dach.
The hail is falling on the roof.
fällt means falls, and das Dach is the roof. Der Hagel is nominative because it is the subject; auf das Dach is accusative because auf shows movement towards a surface.
Der Sturm bringt den Hagel.
The storm brings the hail.
der Sturm is the storm, and bringt means brings. Den Hagel is accusative because bringen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from der to den.
Nach dem Hagel ist der Garten weiĂź.
After the hail, the garden is white.
nach means after, der Garten is the garden, and weiĂź means white. Dem Hagel is dative because nach always requires the dative.
Das Geräusch des Hagels war laut.
The sound of the hail was loud.
das Geräusch means the sound, and laut means loud. Des Hagels is genitive and identifies what made the sound; the masculine noun takes -s in the genitive.
Im Sommer gibt es manchmal Hagel.
Sometimes there is hail in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and manchmal means sometimes. Hagel is a mass noun with no normal plural; es gibt takes an accusative object even though the noun has no visible case ending.
hageln — to hail ​
Hageln is an impersonal weather verb and is normally used with es: es hagelt. It takes haben in the perfect, and the perfect es hat gehagelt is more common in conversation than the preterite es hagelte.
Es hagelt heute.
It is hailing today.
heute means today. Hagelt is an impersonal weather verb, so German normally uses empty es as the subject; the finite verb hagelt stands in position two.
Es hat gestern gehagelt.
It hailed yesterday.
gestern means yesterday. Gehagelt is the Partizip II and combines with hat, not ist; hat is in position two and gehagelt goes to the end.
Am Nachmittag hagelte es kurz.
It hailed briefly in the afternoon.
am Nachmittag means in the afternoon, and kurz means briefly or for a short time. Hagelte is the weak preterite form and is in position two; es remains the impersonal subject.
Hagle nicht ins Haus!
Do not hail into the house!
nicht means not, and ins Haus means into the house. Hagle is the rare du imperative, but weather verbs are normally impersonal, so this sentence sounds playful or unnatural; ordinary German says Es hagelt nicht.
Wenn es hagelte, blieben wir zu Hause.
If it hailed, we would stay at home.
wenn means if, blieben means would stay or stayed, and zu Hause means at home. The preterite form hagelte can express a hypothetical situation in this context; in the wenn clause, the finite verb goes to the end.
Morgen wird es hageln.
It will hail tomorrow.
morgen means tomorrow, and wird means will or becomes. Wird is in position two and the infinitive hageln goes to the end; the impersonal es is still required.
die Hitze — heat, hot weather ​
die Hitze is normally a mass noun and has no plural. For the opposite, use die Kälte, meaning cold; Hitze describes high temperature, not a hot object itself.
Die Hitze ist heute kaum auszuhalten.
The heat is almost unbearable today.
heute means today and kaum auszuhalten means almost unbearable. Die Hitze is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist is in position two.
Ich vertrage die Hitze nicht gut.
I do not tolerate the heat well.
vertragen means to tolerate or cope with, and nicht gut means not well. die Hitze is accusative because vertragen takes an accusative object; nicht comes before the adverb gut here.
Bei der Hitze trinke ich viel Wasser.
In this heat, I drink a lot of water.
bei means in or during, and viel Wasser means a lot of water. bei always takes the dative, so der Hitze is dative; the prepositional phrase comes first, so trinke follows it immediately in position two.
Die Folgen der Hitze sind deutlich.
The effects of the heat are clear.
die Folgen means the effects and deutlich means clear. der Hitze is genitive because it identifies whose effects they are; the plural subject die Folgen requires sind, not ist.
Im Sommer gibt es oft Hitze.
There is often heat in summer.
im Sommer means in summer and oft means often. Hitze is a singular-only mass noun, so this sentence uses no plural; es gibt takes an accusative complement, but an uncountable noun can appear without an article.
das Klima — climate ​
das Klima can mean the weather pattern of a region or the earth’s climate. Its plural Klimate is mainly used when comparing different regional climates.
Das Klima ist hier mild.
The climate is mild here.
mild means mild, and hier means here. Das Klima is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir schĂĽtzen das Klima.
We protect the climate.
wir means we, and schĂĽtzen means protect. das Klima is accusative because schĂĽtzen takes a direct object; the finite verb schĂĽtzen stands in position two.
Mit dem Klima verändert sich auch die Natur.
Nature changes along with the climate.
verändert sich means changes, auch means also, and die Natur means nature. mit always takes the dative, so dem Klima is dative; the finite verb verändert stands in position two.
Die Folgen des Klimas sind ĂĽberall sichtbar.
The effects of the climate are visible everywhere.
die Folgen means the effects, sind means are, ĂĽberall means everywhere, and sichtbar means visible. des Klimas is genitive because it identifies whose effects they are; the verb sind stands in position two.
Viele Klimate sind fĂĽr Menschen schwierig.
Many climates are difficult for people.
viele means many, schwierig means difficult, and Menschen means people. Klimate is nominative plural as the subject, while fĂĽr Menschen uses the accusative because fĂĽr always takes the accusative.
die Kälte — cold; cold weather ​
Kälte is an abstract mass noun, so it normally has no plural. Use die Kälte for cold weather or low temperature, and kalt for the adjective “cold”.
Die Kälte ist heute unangenehm.
The cold is unpleasant today.
heute means “today” and unangenehm means “unpleasant”. Die Kälte is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Wir haben die Kälte kaum bemerkt.
We hardly noticed the cold.
haben bemerkt means “noticed”, and kaum means “hardly”. Die Kälte is accusative because bemerken takes a direct object; the participle bemerkt goes to the end of the perfect-tense clause.
Bei der Kälte trage ich eine dicke Jacke.
In this cold, I wear a thick jacket.
bei means “in/with”, trage means “wear”, and dicke Jacke means “thick jacket”. Der Kälte is dative because bei takes the dative; the finite verb trage stands in position two.
Wegen der Kälte bleiben die Kinder drinnen.
Because of the cold, the children are staying indoors.
wegen means “because of”, bleiben means “stay”, die Kinder means “the children”, and drinnen means “indoors”. Der Kälte is genitive because wegen traditionally governs the genitive; the main-clause verb bleiben is in position two.
mild — mild, gentle; not strong or spicy ​
For weather, food, and behaviour, mild means not extreme or not strong. The opposite can be stark for flavour or heftig for weather and behaviour.
Heute ist es mild.
It is mild today.
Heute means today, and es means it. Mild stands after ist as a predicative adjective, so it has no ending; the finite verb ist is in position two.
Wir genieĂźen mildes Wetter.
We are enjoying mild weather.
Wir means we, and genieĂźen means enjoy; das Wetter is the weather. Mildes Wetter is the accusative object of genieĂźen, and the adjective takes -es after the uninflected article; the finite verb genieĂźen is in position two.
Der Tee ist milder als der Kaffee.
The tea is milder than the coffee.
Der Tee is the tea and der Kaffee is the coffee. Milder compares two drinks and is followed by als; after ist, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Der FrĂĽhling ist am mildesten.
Spring is the mildest.
Der FrĂĽhling means spring. Am mildesten is the superlative predicate after ist; the superlative uses am plus -sten, not an attributive ending.
nebelig — foggy, misty ​
Nebelig describes weather or places with a lot of fog. The comparative and superlative are regular: nebeliger, am nebeligsten.
Heute ist es nebelig.
It is foggy today.
heute means today and es is the impersonal subject used for weather. Nebelig is predicative, so it has no adjective ending; the verb ist stands in position two.
Wir fahren durch einen nebeligen Wald.
We are driving through a foggy forest.
fahren means drive, der Wald is the forest, and durch means through. Einen nebeligen Wald is accusative because durch takes the accusative; the adjective ending -en follows the masculine article einen.
Der Morgen ist heute nebeliger als gestern.
The morning is foggier today than yesterday.
der Morgen is the morning, heute means today, and gestern means yesterday. Nebliger is predicative and therefore has no adjective ending; als introduces the thing used for comparison.
Im November ist es hier am nebeligsten.
It is foggiest here in November.
im November means in November and hier means here. Am nebeligsten is the predicative superlative; in takes the dative in the fixed time expression im November.
der Regenbogen — rainbow ​
der Regenbogen is a compound of der Regen (rain) and der Bogen (bow or arc). Its plural is unusual only because it has no ending change: die Regenbogen.
Der Regenbogen ist wunderschön.
The rainbow is beautiful.
wunderschön means beautiful or wonderful. Der Regenbogen is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Wir fotografieren den Regenbogen.
We are photographing the rainbow.
fotografieren means photograph. Den Regenbogen is accusative because fotografieren takes a direct object, while the finite verb fotografieren stands in position two.
Die Kinder winken dem Regenbogen zu.
The children wave at the rainbow.
die Kinder means the children, and zuwinken means wave at. Dem Regenbogen is dative because zuwinken takes the dative; the separable verb appears as winken ... zu in the main clause.
Die Farben des Regenbogens leuchten hell.
The colours of the rainbow shine brightly.
die Farben means the colours, leuchten means shine, and hell means brightly or brightly coloured. Des Regenbogens is genitive because it identifies whose colours they are; the masculine noun adds -s.
Nach dem Gewitter sehe ich oft Regenbogen.
After the storm, I often see rainbows.
nach dem Gewitter means after the storm, oft means often, and sehe means see. Regenbogen is plural accusative after sehen; this plural has no ending change, so the context or article shows the number.
der Regenmantel — raincoat ​
der Regenmantel is a compound of der Regen (rain) and der Mantel (coat). Its plural is die Regenmäntel, with both a plural ending and an umlaut.
Der Regenmantel hängt im Flur.
The raincoat is hanging in the hallway.
hängt means is hanging, and der Flur means hallway. Der Regenmantel is nominative because it is the subject, while im Flur means in dem Flur and is dative for a fixed location.
Ich kaufe einen neuen Regenmantel.
I am buying a new raincoat.
kaufe means buy, and neu means new. Einen neuen Regenmantel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Sie hilft dem Regenmantel nicht.
She does not help the raincoat.
hilft means helps, and nicht means not. Dem Regenmantel is dative because helfen governs the dative, although this sentence is deliberately unusual in meaning; the negation comes after the dative object.
Die Farbe des Regenmantels gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the raincoat.
die Farbe means the colour, gefällt means is pleasing, and mir means to me. Des Regenmantels is genitive because it shows whose colour it is, while mir is dative because gefallen expresses who likes something.
Im Geschäft hängen viele Regenmäntel.
Many raincoats are hanging in the shop.
im Geschäft means in the shop, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Regenmäntel is plural nominative because it is the subject; the plural uses -e and an umlaut, while im Geschäft is dative location.
regnerisch — rainy ​
Regnerisch describes weather or a period with a lot of rain. It has regular comparison: regnerischer, am regnerischsten.
Das Wetter ist heute regnerisch.
The weather is rainy today.
das Wetter means “the weather,” and heute means “today.” Regnerisch is predicative after ist and therefore has no adjective ending; the adjective describes the nominative subject das Wetter.
Wir hatten einen regnerischen Sommer.
We had a rainy summer.
hatten means “had,” and der Sommer is “summer.” Einen regnerischen Sommer is accusative because haben takes a direct object; the masculine adjective ending is -en after einen.
Der April war regnerischer als der Mai.
April was rainier than May.
der April and der Mai are the months April and May. Regnerischer compares two months and is followed by als, meaning “than”; after war, the comparative is predicative and has no adjective ending.
Der November ist am regnerischsten.
November is the rainiest.
der November is the month November. Am regnerischsten is the predicative superlative after ist; use am, not an article, in this am-form.
der Schauer — shower, rain shower; shiver, chill ​
For weather, Schauer means a short shower of rain. Its plural is also Schauer, so an article or adjective often makes the number clear.
Ein Schauer kommt am Nachmittag.
A shower is coming in the afternoon.
kommt means is coming, and am Nachmittag means in the afternoon. Ein Schauer is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb kommt is in position two.
Wir erwarten einen Schauer.
We expect a shower.
wir erwarten means we expect, and einen Schauer means a shower. Einen Schauer is accusative because erwarten takes a direct object; the masculine article changes from ein to einen.
Nach dem Schauer war der Weg nass.
After the shower, the path was wet.
nach means after, der Weg means the path, and nass means wet. Dem Schauer is dative because nach always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so war still occupies position two.
Die Stärke des Schauers überrascht uns.
The intensity of the shower surprises us.
die Stärke means the intensity, überrascht means surprises, and uns means us. Des Schauers is genitive because it says whose intensity is meant; uns is accusative because it is the object of überraschen.
Im April gibt es oft kurze Schauer.
In April there are often brief showers.
im April means in April, oft means often, and kurze means brief. Schauer has the same form in the plural, so kurze and es gibt help identify it; after es gibt, the noun phrase is accusative.
Ein Schauer läuft mir über den Rücken.
A shiver runs down my back.
läuft means runs, mir means over me or to me, and der Rücken means the back. Ein Schauer is nominative as the subject, mir is dative as the person experiencing it, and über den Rücken is accusative because the feeling moves across the back.
Bei dieser Geschichte bekomme ich einen Schauer.
This story gives me a shiver.
bei dieser Geschichte means with or when hearing this story, and bekomme means get or receive. Bei takes the dative, while einen Schauer is accusative because it is what I get; the finite verb bekomme is in position two.
der Sonnenschein — sunshine, sunlight; ray of sunshine; cheerful person ​
Sonnenschein is normally a mass noun, so it is used without a plural. The related noun Sonne means sun, but Sonnenschein focuses on the light and warmth.
Sonnenschein macht mich glĂĽcklich.
Sunshine makes me happy.
macht means makes, and glĂĽcklich means happy. Sonnenschein is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb macht is in position two.
Ich genieĂźe den Sonnenschein.
I enjoy the sunshine.
genieĂźe means enjoy. den Sonnenschein is accusative because genieĂźen takes a direct object, while the finite verb genieĂźe stands in position two.
Wir sitzen in der Sonne und genieĂźen den Sonnenschein.
We sit in the sun and enjoy the sunshine.
sitzen means sit, in der Sonne means in the sun, and genieĂźen means enjoy. The phrase in der Sonne has dative because it describes a location, while den Sonnenschein is accusative after genieĂźen.
Die Wärme des Sonnenscheins tut gut.
The warmth of the sunshine feels good.
die Wärme means the warmth and tut gut means feels good or does one good. des Sonnenscheins is genitive because it shows whose warmth it is; the genitive ending -s is added to the noun.
Im Sommer gibt es viel Sonnenschein.
There is lots of sunshine in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and viel means a lot of. Sonnenschein is a mass noun and normally has no plural; gibt es is the fixed pattern for saying that something exists.
Meine kleine Schwester ist ein echter Sonnenschein.
My little sister is a real ray of sunshine.
meine kleine Schwester means my little sister, and echt means real. ein echter Sonnenschein is a predicate noun after sein, so it stays nominative; echter has an adjective ending after ein.
FĂĽr ihre Freunde ist sie ein Sonnenschein.
To her friends, she is a ray of sunshine.
fĂĽr ihre Freunde means for her friends, and sie means she. fĂĽr always takes the accusative, while ein Sonnenschein is a nominative predicate after ist.
der Sturm — storm, gale; assault, rush ​
For weather, der Sturm is stronger than ordinary wind and can be dangerous. In some contexts, Sturm can also mean a sudden assault or rush, but weather is the common meaning for learners.
Der Sturm beginnt heute Abend.
The storm begins this evening.
beginnt means begins, and heute Abend means this evening. Der Sturm is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir beobachten den Sturm vom Fenster aus.
We watch the storm from the window.
beobachten means watch, and vom Fenster aus means from the window. Den Sturm is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; vom is short for von dem.
Nach dem Sturm liegen Ă„ste auf der StraĂźe.
After the storm, branches are lying in the street.
nach means after, Ă„ste are branches, and liegen means are lying. Nach always takes the dative, so dem Sturm is dative; the finite verb liegen is in position two.
Die Kraft des Sturms hat viele Bäume beschädigt.
The force of the storm damaged many trees.
die Kraft means the force, viele Bäume means many trees, and beschädigt means damaged. Des Sturms is genitive because it shows whose force it is; in the perfect, hat is in position two and beschädigt goes to the end.
Im Herbst kommen oft starke StĂĽrme.
Strong storms often come in autumn.
im Herbst means in autumn, oft means often, and starke means strong. StĂĽrme is plural nominative because it is the subject; the verb kommen agrees with the plural.
Die Soldaten stĂĽrmten die Festung im Sturm.
The soldiers took the fortress by storm.
die Soldaten means the soldiers, stĂĽrmten means stormed, and die Festung means the fortress. Im Sturm is a fixed phrase meaning by storm; im is short for in dem, and the finite verb stĂĽrmten is in position two.
Die Fans liefen im Sturm auf die BĂĽhne.
The fans rushed onto the stage.
die Fans means the fans, liefen means ran, and die BĂĽhne means the stage. Im Sturm describes the forceful manner, while auf die BĂĽhne takes the accusative because it expresses movement onto the stage.
die Temperatur — temperature ​
For weather, German commonly uses die Temperatur beträgt ... or die Temperatur liegt bei .... Do not translate English “temperature” with Wärme, which means heat or warmth.
Die Temperatur ist heute angenehm.
The temperature is pleasant today.
heute means “today”, and angenehm means “pleasant”. Die Temperatur is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb ist stands in position two.
Das Thermometer zeigt die Temperatur.
The thermometer shows the temperature.
das Thermometer means “the thermometer”, and zeigt means “shows”. Die Temperatur is accusative because zeigen takes a direct object; the finite verb zeigt is in position two.
Bei der Temperatur schmilzt der Schnee.
At this temperature, the snow melts.
bei means “at”, schmilzt means “melts”, and der Schnee means “the snow”. Der Temperatur is dative because bei always takes the dative; the verb schmilzt is in position two after the fronted phrase.
Die Messung der Temperatur dauert eine Minute.
The measurement of the temperature takes one minute.
die Messung means “the measurement”, and dauert eine Minute means “takes one minute”. Der Temperatur is genitive because it specifies what is measured; the finite verb dauert stands in position two.
Im FrĂĽhling steigen die Temperaturen.
Temperatures rise in spring.
im Frühling means “in spring”, and steigen means “rise”. Temperaturen is plural and is the nominative subject; because the time phrase comes first, the finite verb steigen still remains in position two.
das Thermometer — thermometer ​
Das Thermometer zeigt 38 Grad.
The thermometer shows 38 degrees.
zeigt means shows and 38 Grad means 38 degrees. Das Thermometer is nominative because it is the subject, and zeigt is in position two.
Ich nehme das Thermometer.
I take the thermometer.
nehme means take. Das Thermometer is accusative because nehmen takes a direct object; the neuter article remains das.
Ich messe mit dem Thermometer die Temperatur.
I measure the temperature with the thermometer.
messe means measure and die Temperatur means the temperature. Mit forces the dative, so dem Thermometer is dative; die Temperatur is accusative as the thing measured.
Die Anzeige des Thermometers ist digital.
The thermometer's display is digital.
die Anzeige means the display and digital means digital. Des Thermometers is genitive because it shows whose display is meant; the noun adds -s.
Die Thermometer liegen im Schrank.
The thermometers are in the cupboard.
liegen means are lying and im Schrank means in the cupboard. Thermometer is nominative plural as the subject; the plural looks like the singular, while im Schrank is dative for a location.
das Unwetter — severe storm, violent storm ​
Unwetter is stronger than ordinary Regen or Wind and suggests dangerous weather. Its plural is also Unwetter, without an ending.
Das Unwetter beginnt am Abend.
The severe storm begins in the evening.
am Abend means in the evening. beginnt means begins. Das Unwetter is nominative because it is the subject, and the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Wir beobachten das Unwetter vom Balkon aus.
We watch the severe storm from the balcony.
beobachten means watch or observe, and vom Balkon aus means from the balcony. Das Unwetter is accusative because beobachten takes a direct object; the finite verb beobachten is in position two.
Nach dem Unwetter liegen Ă„ste auf der StraĂźe.
After the storm, branches are lying in the street.
nach means after, Ă„ste are branches, and auf der StraĂźe means in the street. Nach always takes the dative here, so dem Unwetter is dative; the verb liegen is in position two.
Die Schäden des Unwetters sind groß.
The damage caused by the storm is extensive.
die Schäden means the damage, and groß means extensive or large. Des Unwetters is genitive to show that the damage is connected with the storm, while sind is in position two.
Im Sommer gab es mehrere Unwetter.
There were several severe storms in summer.
im Sommer means in summer, and mehrere means several. Unwetter is plural here; after mehrere, the plural article is normally omitted, and gab es is the past form used to say there were.
der Wetterbericht — weather report, weather forecast ​
A Wetterbericht can describe the weather now or forecast what it will be like later. For a forecast on television, radio or an app, Wettervorhersage is also common.
Der Wetterbericht beginnt um acht Uhr.
The weather forecast begins at eight o'clock.
beginnt means begins and um acht Uhr means at eight o'clock. Der Wetterbericht is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb beginnt stands in position two.
Ich lese den Wetterbericht jeden Morgen.
I read the weather report every morning.
lese means read and jeden Morgen means every morning. den Wetterbericht is accusative because lesen takes an accusative object; the finite verb lese is in position two.
Nach dem Wetterbericht wird es morgen warm.
According to the weather report, it will be warm tomorrow.
nach means according to or after, morgen means tomorrow, and warm means warm. nach takes the dative, so dem Wetterbericht is dative; the phrase comes first and wird therefore stands in position two.
Die Vorhersage des Wetterberichts war falsch.
The forecast in the weather report was wrong.
die Vorhersage means the forecast and falsch means wrong. des Wetterberichts is genitive because it identifies whose forecast it is; the genitive noun has -s, and the finite verb war stands in position two.
Die Wetterberichte im Internet sind oft sehr genau.
The weather reports on the internet are often very accurate.
im Internet means on the internet, oft means often, and genau means accurate. Die Wetterberichte is the plural nominative subject, so the verb is plural sind; the plural ending -e belongs to Bericht.
die Wettervorhersage — weather forecast ​
Die Wettervorhersage sagt heute viel Regen voraus.
The weather forecast predicts a lot of rain today.
viel Regen means a lot of rain, and heute means today. Die Wettervorhersage is nominative because it is the subject; the finite verb sagt is in position two, while the separable verb voraussagen puts voraus at the end.
Ich lese die Wettervorhersage jeden Morgen.
I read the weather forecast every morning.
jeden Morgen means every morning. Die Wettervorhersage is accusative because lesen takes a direct object, and the finite verb lese stands in position two.
Ich vertraue der Wettervorhersage nicht immer.
I do not always trust the weather forecast.
nicht immer means not always, and vertrauen means to trust. Der Wettervorhersage is dative because vertrauen governs the dative; the finite verb vertraue is in position two.
Die Genauigkeit der Wettervorhersage ĂĽberrascht mich.
The accuracy of the weather forecast surprises me.
die Genauigkeit means accuracy, and ĂĽberrascht means surprises. Der Wettervorhersage is genitive to show whose accuracy it is; the accusative pronoun mich is the person affected.
Im Internet findet man viele Wettervorhersagen.
You can find many weather forecasts on the internet.
im Internet means on the internet, and viele means many. Wettervorhersagen is plural after viele; man is an indefinite subject, and the verb findet remains singular because man is grammatically singular.
der Wintermantel — winter coat ​
Wintermantel is a compound of der Winter (winter) and der Mantel (coat). Its plural has an umlaut and -e: Wintermäntel.
Der Wintermantel ist sehr warm.
The winter coat is very warm.
warm means warm, and sehr means very. Der Wintermantel is nominative because it is the subject, and ist stands in position two.
Ich kaufe einen Wintermantel.
I am buying a winter coat.
kaufen means to buy. Einen Wintermantel is accusative because kaufen takes a direct object; the masculine indefinite article changes from ein to einen.
Mit dem Wintermantel friere ich nicht.
With the winter coat, I do not feel cold.
mit means with, and frieren means to feel cold. Dem Wintermantel is dative because mit always takes the dative; the phrase comes first, so friere still follows in position two.
Die Farbe des Wintermantels gefällt mir.
I like the colour of the winter coat.
die Farbe means the colour and gefallen means to please or be liked. des Wintermantels is genitive because it means of the winter coat; mir is dative because gefallen expresses whose opinion or reaction something pleases.
Im Schaufenster hängen viele Wintermäntel.
Many winter coats are hanging in the shop window.
das Schaufenster means shop window, hängen means are hanging, and viele means many. Wintermäntel is plural, and viele has no ending because it already marks the plural.
die Wärme — warmth, heat ​
Die Wärme is usually a mass noun, so it has no normal plural. For physical heat, German commonly uses die Wärme; for a warm feeling or atmosphere, the same noun is also possible.
Die Wärme tut mir gut.
The warmth does me good.
gut tun means to do someone good, and mir means to me. Die Wärme is the nominative subject; tut is in position two, while mir is dative because gut tun describes who benefits.
Ich spüre die Wärme der Sonne.
I can feel the warmth of the sun.
spüren means to feel, and die Sonne means the sun. Die Wärme is accusative because spüren takes an accusative object; der Sonne is genitive and means of the sun.
Bei der Wärme trinken wir viel Wasser.
When it is warm, we drink a lot of water.
bei means in or in conditions of, viel means a lot of, and das Wasser means water. Bei der Wärme is dative because bei always takes the dative; the finite verb trinken is in position two.
Die Wirkung der Wärme ist angenehm.
The effect of the warmth is pleasant.
die Wirkung means the effect and angenehm means pleasant. Der Wärme is genitive because it shows what kind of effect is meant; ist is the finite verb in position two.
die Überschwemmung — flood, flooding; flooding, inundation ​
This word usually describes flooding caused by heavy rain, a river, or the sea. It is a feminine noun with the plural Ăśberschwemmungen.
Nach dem starken Regen gab es eine Ăśberschwemmung.
After the heavy rain, there was a flood.
starker Regen means heavy rain, and es gab means there was. Eine Ăśberschwemmung is nominative because it is the subject of geben in the expression es gibt; the finite verb gab stands in position two.
Die Feuerwehr verhindert die Ăśberschwemmung des Kellers.
The fire brigade is preventing the basement from flooding.
die Feuerwehr is the fire brigade, verhindert means prevents, and der Keller is the basement. Die Ăśberschwemmung is accusative because verhindern takes a direct object; des Kellers is genitive because it specifies whose flooding is meant.
Die Stadt hilft den Opfern der Ăśberschwemmung.
The city is helping the victims of the flood.
die Stadt is the city, helfen means to help, and die Opfer are the victims. Den Opfern is dative because helfen takes a dative object, while der Ăśberschwemmung is genitive after Opfer to mean of the flood.
Die Schäden der Überschwemmung sind noch nicht bekannt.
The damage caused by the flood is not yet known.
die Schäden means the damage, and noch nicht bekannt means not known yet. Der Überschwemmung is genitive and describes which damage is meant; the plural subject die Schäden makes the verb sind plural.
In diesem Jahr gab es mehrere Ăśberschwemmungen.
There were several floods this year.
in diesem Jahr means this year, and mehrere means several. Ăśberschwemmungen is plural after mehrere; in the expression es gab, the thing that existed is normally in the accusative, although the plural form looks the same here.
Viele Dörfer waren von der Überschwemmung betroffen.
Many villages were affected by the flooding.
viele Dörfer means many villages, and betroffen means affected. Von takes the dative, so der Überschwemmung is dative; waren is in position two because this is a main clause.
Die Überschwemmung zerstörte mehrere Brücken.
The flooding destroyed several bridges.
zerstören means to destroy, and mehrere Brücken means several bridges. Die Überschwemmung is the nominative subject, while mehrere Brücken is accusative because zerstören takes a direct object.