das  Hoch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/hoːx/

🌤️ What does 'das Hoch' mean?

'Das Hoch' is a German noun and primarily has two meanings:

• Meteorology: It refers to a high-pressure area (also called Antizyklone). This is an area in the atmosphere where the air pressure is relatively high compared to its surroundings. High-pressure systems often bring stable, dry, and sunny weather. ☀️
• General (less common as a noun): It can also describe a high point, a peak, or a positive state (e.g., ein Stimmungshoch - an emotional high). However, this usage as a noun is less common; usually, the adjective 'hoch' (high) or compound words like 'Höhepunkt' (peak, climax) are used here.

🚨 Important: The word 'hoch' is primarily an adjective (e.g., ein hoher Berg - a high mountain) or an adverb (e.g., hoch fliegen - to fly high). The nominalization 'das Hoch' with the article 'das' almost always refers to the meteorological phenomenon.

📚 Grammar of 'das Hoch' in Detail

'Das Hoch' is a neuter noun (sächlich).

Declension

Since 'das Hoch' mostly refers to the meteorological phenomenon, it is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form ('die Hochs') is very rare and refers to multiple high-pressure areas simultaneously.

Example Sentences

• Ein stabiles Hoch über Mitteleuropa sorgt für Sonnenschein.
  (A stable high-pressure system over Central Europe provides sunshine.)
• Der Wetterbericht kündigt für morgen ein kräftiges Hoch an.
  (The weather forecast announces a strong high-pressure system for tomorrow.)
• Der Einfluss des Hochs lässt langsam nach.
  (The influence of the high-pressure system is slowly diminishing.)
• Wir verdanken dem Hoch das schöne Urlaubswetter.
  (We owe the nice holiday weather to the high-pressure system.)

🗣️ How to use 'das Hoch'?

The most common context for 'das Hoch' is the weather forecast (der Wetterbericht) or general conversations about the weather.

• Typical combinations: You often hear about a stabiles Hoch (stable high), a kräftiges Hoch (strong high), an Azorenhoch (Azores High, a specific high-pressure system), or simply a Wetterhoch (weather high).
• Contrast: The opposite is 'das Tief' (low-pressure area).
• Distinction from the adjective: Don't confuse 'das Hoch' (noun, e.g., das Wetterhoch) with the adjective 'hoch' (high, e.g., der hohe Berg - the high mountain, die hohe Temperatur - the high temperature). Although related, their grammatical function is different.
• Rarer meaning: When 'das Hoch' is used in the sense of a peak or emotional high, the context is crucial to avoid misunderstandings. Example: Nach dem Erfolgserlebnis erlebte er ein emotionales Hoch. (After the success, he experienced an emotional high.) But, as mentioned, this is less common.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Hoch'

For the article 'das': Think of das Wetter (the weather). When das Wetter is good (sun, no rain), a Hoch is often responsible. So: das (good) Wetter -> das Hoch.

For the meaning (high-pressure area): Imagine the sun standing 'hoch' (high) in the sky, creating 'high' pressure – that brings nice weather. That's das Hoch.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

Similar but different words:

• Hoch (adjective/adverb): Refers to height, intensity, level (e.g., hoher Preis - high price, hoch fliegen - to fly high).
• Die Höhe (noun): Means height, altitude, or amount.

😄 A Little Weather Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, nenne mir drei Arten von Hochs!"
Fritzchen: "Das Azorenhoch, das Sibirienhoch und das Hoch auf unser Wohl!" 🥂

Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, name three types of 'Hochs' (highs)!"
Fritzchen: "The Azores High, the Siberian High, and 'Hoch auf unser Wohl!' (Cheers to us! / A toast to our well-being! - playing on 'ein Hoch auf jemanden/etwas' meaning 'a cheer/toast for someone/something')" 🥂

📜 A Poem about 'das Hoch'

Das Hoch kommt leis'

Die Wolken fliehen schnell und weit,
Der Himmel strahlt in Heiterkeit.
Ein sanfter Wind weht durch das Land,
Vom Hoch geschickt, mit milder Hand. Kein Regen stört den Sonnenschein,
So soll das Wetter immer sein!

The High Arrives Softly

The clouds flee quickly far and wide,
The sky shines bright with cheerful tide.
A gentle breeze blows through the land,
Sent by the high, with a mild hand.
No rain disturbs the sunshine bright,
May the weather always be this light!

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bringe oft die Sonne mit,
und sorge für den blauen Schnitt
am Himmel, klar und ohne Nass.
Mal heiß, mal kalt, doch stets 'nen Spaß
für die, die Trockenheit begrüßen.
Mein Gegenteil lässt Regen sprießen.

Was bin ich?

I often bring the sun along,
and ensure the blue is strong
in the sky, clear and without wetness.
Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, but nonetheless fun
for those who welcome dryness.
My opposite lets the rain run.

What am I?

Solution: Das Hoch (high-pressure system)

✨ Other Interesting Info

Word Composition: 'Das Hoch' is a nominalization (substantivization) of the adjective 'hoch' (high).

Naming of High-Pressure Systems: In Central Europe, high-pressure systems traditionally receive male first names in even years and female first names in odd years (alternating with low-pressure systems, which receive the other gender). For some time now, people can also sponsor weather systems (Wetterpatenschaften) and thus give a name to a high or low.

Example names: Hoch 'Peter', Hoch 'Sabine'.