das
Wetter
☀️ What does 'das Wetter' mean?
Das Wetter is the German word for 'weather'. It refers to the state of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. It describes short-term phenomena like temperature (die Temperatur), precipitation (der Niederschlag - rain, snow), wind (der Wind), air pressure (der Luftdruck), and cloudiness (die Bewölkung).
It is a neuter noun and always takes the article 'das'. There are no other articles or meanings associated with this word.
Example: Wie ist das Wetter heute? (How is the weather today?)
📜 Grammar Corner: Declining 'das Wetter'
Das Wetter is a neuter noun. It is primarily used in the singular. While a plural form technically exists ('die Wetter'), it's rarely used and typically found in specific contexts (e.g., 'verschiedene Wetter' - different weather conditions/patterns). The singular form is the most common.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun | (English equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das | Wetter | the weather |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Wetters | of the weather |
| Dative (To/For whom?) | dem | Wetter | to/for the weather |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das | Wetter | the weather |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Das Wetter ist heute sehr wechselhaft. (The weather is very changeable today.)
- Genitive: Trotz des schlechten Wetters gingen wir spazieren. (Despite the bad weather, we went for a walk.)
- Dative: Bei diesem Wetter möchte man nicht vor die Tür gehen. (In this weather, one doesn't want to go outside.)
- Akkusative: Ich beobachte das Wetter genau. (I am observing the weather closely.)
💬 Using 'das Wetter' in Context
Das Wetter is a very common topic of conversation in Germany, much like in English-speaking countries. People often ask: "Wie ist das Wetter?" (How's the weather?) or comment "Das Wetter ist schön/schlecht." (The weather is nice/bad.)
- Everyday Life: Planning activities (picnics, trips) often depends on das Wetter.
- News: Der Wetterbericht (weather report) or die Wettervorhersage (weather forecast) are standard parts of the news.
- Idioms: Common German idioms include "bei Wind und Wetter" (come rain or shine / in all weathers) or "ein Gesicht wie sieben Tage Regenwetter machen" (literally: to make a face like seven days of rainy weather, meaning to look very grumpy).
- Difference from 'Klima': While 'Wetter' describes short-term conditions, 'das Klima' (climate) refers to average weather conditions over a long period.
🚨 Be careful not to confuse 'Wetter' with 'Gewitter' (thunderstorm), although a thunderstorm is a type of weather event.
🧠 Memory Aids for 'das Wetter'
For the article 'das': Neutral, often abstract concepts or natural phenomena in German frequently use the neuter article 'das'. Think: das Phänomen (the phenomenon), das Element (the element), das Wetter (the weather). It's a general condition.
For the meaning 'weather': The German word Wetter sounds a bit like the English words "water" or "wind". Both water (rain) and wind are key components of the weather!
↔️ Similar Terms and Contrasts for 'Wetter'
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Witterung: Very similar, often describes the general character of the weather over a few days or weeks (e.g., trockene Witterung - dry spell/weather).
- Die Wetterlage: Refers to the large-scale weather situation or pattern.
Related Terms (Not direct synonyms/antonyms)
- Das Klima: Climate - Long-term weather conditions (contrast in time frame).
- Das Unwetter: Severe weather - Extreme, often dangerous weather (storms, hail).
- Das Gewitter: Thunderstorm - Weather event with lightning and thunder.
- Der Niederschlag: Precipitation - Rain, snow, hail, etc.
Note: There isn't a direct antonym for 'Wetter' as it simply describes the state. Instead, Germans contrast 'gutes Wetter' (good weather) and 'schlechtes Wetter' (bad weather).
😂 A Little Weather Joke
German: Warum tragen Wolken keine Hosen?
Weil die Blitze immer einschlagen!
English Translation: Why don't clouds wear trousers?
Because lightning always strikes!
✍️ Poem: Weather Moods
German:
Mal Sonne hell, mal Wolkengrau,
mal Regen nass, mal Himmel blau.
Der Wind, er weht mal sanft, mal wild,
das Wetter zeigt sein buntes Bild.
Mal Hitze drückt, mal Kälte klirrt,
man weiß nie, was als Nächstes wird.
English Translation:
Sometimes sun bright, sometimes cloudy grey,
Sometimes rain wet, sometimes blue sky's display.
The wind, it blows sometimes soft, sometimes wild,
The weather shows its colorful child.
Sometimes heat presses, sometimes cold bites near,
One never knows what next will appear.
❓ Riddle: Who am I?
German:
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch ich kann fühlen lassen – Kälte und Wärme.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich kann rauschen, pfeifen und manchmal donnern.
Jeder spricht über mich, jeden Tag aufs Neue.
Ich ändere mich ständig, von Ort zu Ort, von Stunde zu Stunde.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have no body, yet I can make you feel – cold and warmth.
I have no voice, yet I can rustle, whistle, and sometimes thunder.
Everyone talks about me, anew each day.
I change constantly, from place to place, from hour to hour.
What am I?
Solution: Das Wetter (The Weather)
💡 Other Insights about 'Wetter'
- Etymology: The word "Wetter" comes from the Old High German word "wetar", which meant both "wind" and "weather".
- Compounds: There are many compound words formed with "Wetter":
- der Wetterbericht (weather report)
- die Wettervorhersage / die Wetterprognose (weather forecast)
- die Wetterlage (weather situation)
- wetterfühlig (sensitive to weather changes)
- das Sauwetter (colloquial for very bad weather, lit. 'sow weather')
- Meteorology: The science dealing with weather is called Meteorologie in German.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wetter?
The German word for 'weather' is das Wetter. It is a neuter noun and always uses the article 'das' (e.g., das schöne Wetter - the nice weather, wegen des schlechten Wetters - because of the bad weather). It describes the atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.