der  April

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/aˈpʁɪl/

🗓️ What does "der April" mean?

Der April is the German word for April, the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 30 days and is located between März (March) and Mai (May). The name likely derives from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open”, referring to the blossoming of nature during this time.

In German, the month April is masculine, so it's always der April.

Special characteristics:

• Known for its changeable weather („Aprilwetter“ 🌦️).
• April 1st (der erste April) is April Fools' Day (der Aprilscherz 🤡).
• Easter (Ostern) often falls in April.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: A closer look at "der April"

The word April is a masculine noun (Maskulinum). It is usually used without an article when speaking about the month in general (e.g., „April ist ein schöner Monat“ - "April is a nice month"). When referring to a specific April or using it in dates, it takes the definite article „der“ and is declined.

Declension (Singular):

Note: A plural („die Aprile“) is very rare and only used to refer to several specific April months across different years (e.g., „Die Aprile meiner Kindheit waren immer sonnig.“ - "The Aprils of my childhood were always sunny."). Usually, this is phrased differently.

Example Sentences:

1. Der April beginnt bald. (Nominative) - April starts soon.
2. Das Wetter des Aprils ist unbeständig. (Genitive) - The weather of April is unpredictable.
3. Wir fahren im April in den Urlaub. (Dative - from 'in dem April') - We are going on vacation in April.
4. Ich mag den April trotz des Wetters. (Accusative) - I like April despite the weather.

💬 How to use "der April"?

The term „der April“ is used in various ways:

• Dates: „Wir treffen uns am 5. April.“ ("We meet on April 5th." - Here „an dem“ contracts to „am“)
• Temporal context: „Im April blühen die Tulpen.“ ("Tulips bloom in April." - Here „in dem“ contracts to „im“)
• Idioms:
  • „April, April, der macht, was er will.“ - "April, April, it does what it wants." - Refers to the unpredictable weather. 🌦️
  • „Jemanden in den April schicken“ - "To send someone into April" - To play an April Fools' joke on someone. 🤡
• Describing events: „Der April war dieses Jahr besonders warm.“ ("April was particularly warm this year.")

Context: The name of the month is often associated with spring, new beginnings, but also unpredictability.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der April"

For the article (der): Think of typically "masculine" associations (even if stereotypical) with April: Der strong wind, der moody guy (the weather), der prankster (April 1st). The article 'der' is masculine in German, just like these concepts. It helps remember der April.

For the meaning (month): Imagine how in April, buds appear abruptly, and nature opens up (like the Latin aperire = to open). The sound "Ap-ril" might remind you of *ap*erture or things *ap*pearing.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for April

Similar but different terms:

• Aprilscherz: An April Fools' joke/prank.
• Aprilwetter: Typical changeable, unpredictable weather in April.

😂 A little joke about April

German: Warum sollte man dem April niemals ein Geheimnis anvertrauen?

Weil der April macht, was er will – und es bestimmt ausplaudert, wenn das Wetter wieder umschlägt!

English Translation: Why should you never tell April a secret?

Because April does whatever it wants – and will surely spill the beans when the weather changes again! 😄

📜 Poem about April

German:
Der April, ein bunter Gesell,
Mal Sonne, mal Regen, blitzschnell.
Er weckt die Natur, bringt das Grün,
Lässt Knospen und Herzen erblühn.
Doch trau ihm nicht, sei auf der Hut,
Sein Wetter wechselt ohne Wut.
Ein Lachen, ein Weinen, ein Tanz,
Das ist des Aprils Frühlingsglanz.

English Translation:
April, a colourful fellow,
Sometimes sun, sometimes rain, quick as lightning mellow.
It awakens nature, brings the green,
Lets buds and hearts bloom on the scene.
But trust it not, be on your guard,
Its weather changes without regard.
A laugh, a cry, a dance so bright,
That is April's spring delight.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich komme nach dem Lenzmond klar,
Bin launisch, jedes Jahr aufs Jahr.
Mal schein' ich warm, mal bin ich kühl,
Bring' Scherze mit Gefühl.
Wer bin ich wohl, sag's mir geschwind,
Der vierte Monat, jedes Kind?

English Translation:
I come after the month of spring's start bright, [Lenzmond = old name for March]
Am moody, year after year in sight.
Sometimes I seem warm, sometimes I am cool,
Bring jokes with feeling, as a rule.
Who am I then, tell me fast, if you know,
The fourth month always, where flowers grow?

Solution: Der April (April)

💡 More about April

• Etymology: As mentioned, likely from Latin aperire (to open). Another theory links it to the goddess Aphrodite.
• Farmer's Almanacs (Bauernregeln): Many German farmer's sayings relate to April, predicting weather and harvest, e.g., "Ist der April schön und rein, wird der Mai umso wilder sein." ("If April is nice and clear, May will be all the wilder.") or "Aprilwetter und Kartenglück wechseln jeden Augenblick." ("April weather and luck at cards change every moment.")
• Historically: In the ancient Roman calendar, April was originally the second month.