das  Wunder

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvʊndɐ/

✨ What does "das Wunder" mean?

Das Wunder (noun, neuter) refers to an event or phenomenon that seems to contradict the laws of nature or human experience and is often perceived as supernatural, divine, or at least extremely astonishing and inexplicable.

• Main meaning: An astonishing, inexplicable event (miracle). Example: Die Heilung des Kranken war ein medizinisches Wunder. (The healing of the sick person was a medical miracle.)
• Figurative meaning: Something very beautiful, admirable, or surprising. Example: Es ist ein Wunder, dass er die Prüfung bestanden hat. (It's a wonder/miracle that he passed the exam.) / Die Geburt eines Kindes ist ein Wunder. (The birth of a child is a miracle.)

There is only the article das for this word. It always describes something extraordinary or unexpected.

🧐 Grammar of "das Wunder" in Detail

"Wunder" is a noun with the article das. It is declined as follows:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Das war ja ein wahres Wunder! (That was a true miracle!)
2. Die Geschichte des Wunders verbreitete sich schnell. (The story of the miracle spread quickly.)
3. Wir glaubten fest an das Wunder. (We firmly believed in the miracle.)
4. Sie erzählte von vielen Wundern, die sie erlebt hatte. (She told of many wonders/miracles she had experienced.)
5. Die sieben Wunder der Antike sind berühmt. (The seven Wonders of the Ancient World are famous.)

💬 How to use "das Wunder"?

"Das Wunder" is used to express amazement, surprise, or inexplicability.

• Religious/Spiritual Context: Often used in connection with divine intervention or supernatural healings. Viele Pilger hoffen auf ein Wunder in Lourdes. (Many pilgrims hope for a miracle in Lourdes.)
• Everyday Use: To express strong surprise or relief, often slightly ironically. Es grenzt an ein Wunder, dass der alte Computer noch läuft! (It borders on a miracle that the old computer still works!)
• Expressions & Idioms:
  • Sein blaues Wunder erleben: To get a nasty surprise.
  • Kein Wunder: No wonder / It's not surprising. Example: Er hat nicht gelernt, kein Wunder, dass er durchgefallen ist. (He didn't study, no wonder he failed.)
  • Wunder wirken: To work wonders / achieve amazing results. Example: Eine Tasse Kaffee kann manchmal Wunder wirken. (A cup of coffee can sometimes work wonders.)

Risk of Confusion? The word is quite distinct. Sometimes it's associated with "wunderbar" (adjective: wonderful) or "verwundern" (verb: to astonish), but these have different grammatical functions.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Wunder"

For the article 'das': Think of the neutral 'it' in English often used for amazing, hard-to-categorize things. A Wunder is beyond gender, it's just 'it' - das Wunder. Or imagine saying "Da-s amazing!" -> das Wunder.

For the meaning 'miracle/wonder': Imagine seeing something amazing and exclaiming "Wonder! Er... it's happening!" That's a Wunder.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

Similar but Misleading Words:

• Wunderbar (adjective): Means 'wonderful', 'fantastic'. Das Wetter ist wunderbar. (The weather is wonderful.)
• Verwundern (verb): Means 'to astonish', 'to surprise'. Sein Verhalten verwundert mich. (His behavior astonishes me.)
• Bewundern (verb): Means 'to admire', 'to look at with awe and appreciation'. Ich bewundere deine Geduld. (I admire your patience.)

😂 A Little Joke

Der Lehrer fragt: "Was ist ein Wunder?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Wenn meine Mutter nach dem Elternsprechtag immer noch lächelt!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What is a miracle?"
Little Fritz replies: "When my mother is still smiling after the parent-teacher conference!"

✍️ Poem about the Wonder

Ein Funke Licht in dunkler Nacht,
Ein leises Wort, das Hoffnung macht.
Ein Schmetterling im Wintergrau,
Das Wunder ist's, ganz leis und schlau.

Es bricht die Regel, sprengt die Form,
Entzieht sich jeder kalten Norm.
Man kann's nicht fassen, nicht verstehen,
Nur staunend vor dem Wunder stehen.

Translation:
A spark of light in darkest night,
A quiet word that makes hope bright.
A butterfly in winter's grey,
The wonder's there, in its sly way.

It breaks the rule, it bursts the mold,
Escapes from every norm so cold.
You cannot grasp it, understand,
Just stand in awe before its hand (lit: stand before the wonder).

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin nicht logisch, nicht normal,
Geschehe plötzlich, überall.
Mal groß, mal klein, oft unerwartet,
Manch einer hat auf mich gewartet.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I'm not logical, not normal,
Happen suddenly, everywhere.
Sometimes big, sometimes small, often unexpected,
Some have waited for me.

What am I?

Solution: Das Wunder (The miracle/wonder)

ℹ️ Additional Information

• Etymology: The word "Wunder" comes from Old High German "wuntar", meaning "amazement", "terror", "wondrous event". It has always carried a strong emotional component.
• Word Formations: There are many compound words with "Wunder", e.g.: Wunderkind (child prodigy), Wundermittel (miracle cure/remedy), wunderschön (very beautiful, gorgeous).
• Cultural Significance: Miracles (Wunder) play a central role in many religions and myths (e.g., the miracles of Jesus in Christianity). The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Die Sieben Weltwunder) are famous examples of human or natural marvels.