der
Dezember
🗓️ What does "der Dezember" mean?
Der Dezember is the twelfth and final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and lies between November and Januar (January) of the following year.
The name derives from the Latin word decem, meaning "ten", as it was originally the tenth month in the old Roman calendar, which began in March.
In German-speaking countries, der Dezember is strongly associated with Winter (winter), Weihnachten (Christmas), and Silvester (New Year's Eve).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar of "Dezember" in Detail
The word "Dezember" is a masculine noun. Therefore, the definite article is always der.
Declension (Singular):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Without Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Dezember | ein Dezember | Dezember |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Dezembers | eines Dezembers | Dezembers |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem Dezember | einem Dezember | Dezember |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Dezember | einen Dezember | Dezember |
Plural: Months are rarely used in the plural in German. If used, it would be "die Dezember", but this usually refers to multiple December periods over several years (e.g., "die kalten Dezember der letzten Jahre" - the cold Decembers of recent years).
Example Sentences
- Im Dezember feiern wir Weihnachten. (In December, we celebrate Christmas.)
- Der Dezember ist oft ein kalter Monat. (December is often a cold month.)
- Sie wurde Anfang Dezembers geboren. (She was born at the beginning of December.)
- Wir freuen uns auf den Dezember und die Feiertage. (We are looking forward to December and the holidays.)
💡 Usage in Context
"Der Dezember" is mainly used to name the specific month.
- Dates: "Der Termin ist am 15. Dezember." (The appointment is on December 15th.) or "Wir treffen uns im Dezember." (We are meeting in December.) Note the contraction 'im' = 'in dem'.
- Temporal context: "Im Dezember beginnt offiziell der Winter." (Winter officially begins in December.)
- Associations: Often linked with Kälte (cold), Schnee (snow), Advent, Weihnachten (Christmas), Geschenke (gifts), Jahresende (end of the year), Silvester (New Year's Eve).
Abbreviation: The common abbreviation for Dezember is Dez.
⚠️ Remember to capitalize month names in German.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Dezember"
- Remembering the article: All month names in German are masculine (der). Think: "Der last month is der Dezember." Or: "Der Santa Claus (der Weihnachtsmann) comes in Dezember."
- Remembering the meaning: Think of the Latin decem (ten). Although it's the 12th month, the name recalls the old counting system. Or visualize the number 12 and connect it with typical December images (Christmas tree, snowflake).
"Der December delivers delight, darkness, and der end of the year's flight."
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Similar Words (Risk of Confusion):
- Dezennium: Means decade (a period of 10 years).
- Dezimal: Refers to the decimal system (base 10).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum freut sich der Schneemann schon im November auf den Dezember?
Weil er dann endlich cool sein darf! ☃️
(Why is the snowman already looking forward to December in November? Because then he can finally be cool!)
📜 Poem about Dezember
Der Dezember leis' und sacht,
hat den Schnee uns mitgebracht.
Lichterglanz in jedem Haus,
bald kommt der Nikolaus!
Kerzen brennen, warm und licht,
manch frohes Kindergesicht.
Das Jahr, es neigt sich still dem End',
im kalten, schönen Advent.
(December soft and low,
has brought to us the snow.
Shining lights in every house,
soon comes Saint Nicholas!)
(Candles burn, warm and bright,
many a child's face alight.
The year, it quietly nears its end,
in cold, lovely Advent.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin der Letzte in der Reih',
bring' Kälte, Fest und Scherzerei.
Mein Name klingt nach 'zehn', doch bin ich spät.
Welcher Monat ist's, der vor dir steht?
(I am the last one in the row,
I bring cold, feasts, and fun, you know.
My name sounds like 'ten', but I am late.
Which month is it that stands before your gate?)
Solution: Der Dezember (December)
✨ More Information
- Etymology: As mentioned, from Latin decem (ten).
- Zodiac Signs: The zodiac signs in December are Schütze (Sagittarius, until approx. Dec 21st) and Steinbock (Capricorn, from approx. Dec 22nd).
- Important Days: Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day, Dec 6th), Heiligabend (Christmas Eve, Dec 24th), 1st and 2nd Weihnachtstag (Christmas Day & Boxing Day, Dec 25th/26th), Silvester (New Year's Eve, Dec 31st).
- Start of Winter: The astronomical start of winter usually falls on December 21st or 22nd (winter solstice).
Summary: is it der, die or das Dezember?
The correct article for Dezember is der. It is a masculine noun. Remember: der Dezember.