der  Frühling

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʁyːlɪŋ/

🌱 What does "der Frühling" mean?

Der Frühling is the German word for one of the four temperate seasons: spring. It follows der Winter (winter) and precedes der Sommer (summer). Typically, der Frühling is the time when nature awakens, grows, and blossoms after the cold season. It's often associated with Neubeginn (new beginnings), Frische (freshness), and warmer temperatures.

The word always takes the masculine article der. There are no alternative meanings with different articles. ☀️

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Frühling

Frühling is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Declension Singular

The plural form (die Frühlinge) is very rare and usually only used in a poetic or figurative sense.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominative: Der Frühling ist meine Lieblingsjahreszeit.
   (Spring is my favorite season.)
2. Genitive: Die ersten Blumen des Frühlings sind schon da.
   (The first flowers of spring are already here.)
3. Dative: Wir sehnen uns nach dem Frühling.
   (We long for spring. 'Sehnen nach' requires Dative.)
4. Accusative: Ich liebe den Frühling!
   (I love spring!)

💬 How to use "der Frühling"

• As the season: The most common usage refers directly to the season between winter and summer. Example: Im Frühling werden die Tage länger. (In spring, the days get longer.)
• Figurative meaning: Sometimes Frühling is used metaphorically for a time of new beginnings, youth, or renewal. Example: Sie erlebte ihren zweiten Frühling. (She experienced her second spring - a new prime in life.)
• Set phrases: There are common expressions like Frühlingsgefühle (spring fever - literally 'spring feelings') or Frühlingsanfang (start of spring).

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Frühling"

For the article "der": Think of der Sun, der Song (of birds), der Rebirth – all strong, active concepts brought by der Frühling. Masculine nouns in German often relate to seasons, weather (though not always!).

For the meaning "Spring": Frühling sounds a bit like "frew-ling". Imagine flowers feeling *free* and birds *flinging* themselves into the air in spring.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Winter fragt den Frühling: „Warum sind die Leute so froh, wenn du kommst?“
Sagt der Frühling: „Weil nach mir der Sommer kommt! Aber warum sind sie froh, wenn du gehst?“
Seufzt der Winter: „Wahrscheinlich aus demselben Grund!“

Translation:
Winter asks Spring: "Why are people so happy when you arrive?"
Spring says: "Because Summer comes after me! But why are they happy when you leave?"
Winter sighs: "Probably for the same reason!"

📜 Poem about Spring

Der Winter weicht, die Kälte flieht,
Ein leises Summen durch die Lüfte zieht.
Der Frühling kommt mit Macht und Glanz,
Bringt Knospen, Blätter, neuen Tanz.
Die Sonne wärmt, die Welt wird bunt,
Zu neuem Leben kommt die Stund'.

Translation:
Winter yields, the cold does flee,
A gentle humming fills the air with glee.
Spring arrives with might and sheen,
Brings buds and leaves, a lively scene.
The sun provides its warming rays,
The world turns colorful in these new days,
To newborn life, the hour displays.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme nach der kalten Nacht,
Hab' Wärme und viel Grün gebracht.
Die Vögel singen froh und hell,
Die Blumen blühen auf der Stell'.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I come after the coldest night,
Have brought warmth and much green to sight.
The birds sing happy, clear and bright,
The flowers bloom right where they might.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Frühling (Spring)

💡 Other Information

• Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word Frühling comes from Middle High German vrüelinc. It's derived from früh (early) with the suffix -ling, often indicating affiliation or quality – hence, the 'early' season.
• Start of Spring (Frühlingsanfang): There's a calendrical start (around March 20/21 in the Northern Hemisphere) and a meteorological start (March 1).
• Spring Fever (Frühlingsgefühle): A well-known phenomenon describing the often elevated mood and energy many people feel in spring.