der
Herbst
🍂 What does "der Herbst" mean?
Der Herbst means autumn or fall, one of the four temperate seasons. It follows summer and precedes winter. Typical characteristics include falling leaves (das Laubfall), cooler temperatures (kühlere Temperaturen), and harvest time (die Erntezeit).
There is only one article for this word: der. It's a masculine noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Herbst
"Der Herbst" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Herbst |
| Genitive | des | Herbstes / Herbsts |
| Dative | dem | Herbst / Herbste (rare) |
| Accusative | den | Herbst |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Herbste |
| Genitive | der | Herbste |
| Dative | den | Herbsten |
| Accusative | die | Herbste |
Note: The plural "die Herbste" is rarely used, mostly in poetic language or when referring to different autumn periods over several years.
📝 Example Sentences
- Im Herbst werden die Tage kürzer. (In autumn, the days get shorter.)
- Wir genießen die Farbenpracht des Herbstes. (We enjoy the splendid colors of autumn.)
- Nach dem Herbst kommt der Winter. (After autumn comes winter.)
- Ich liebe den Herbst mit seinem bunten Laub. (I love autumn with its colorful foliage.)
- Die Herbste meiner Kindheit waren immer sonnig. (The autumns of my childhood were always sunny. - rare plural usage)
🍁 How to use "der Herbst"?
"Der Herbst" is primarily used to name the season between summer and winter. It's a very common word in everyday life (im Alltag), literature (in der Literatur), weather forecasts (in Wetterberichten), and in relation to agricultural activities (Ernte - harvest).
- Meteorologically/Astronomically: Refers to the period from the autumnal equinox (around Sept. 22/23) to the winter solstice (around Dec. 21/22) in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Colloquially: Often associated with falling leaves (fallendes Laub), cooler weather (kühleres Wetter), rain (Regen), fog (Nebel), but also sunny "golden October days" (goldene Oktobertage).
- Metaphorically: Can also refer to the later stage of a person's life ("Lebensherbst" - the autumn of life).
Compared to synonyms like "das Spätjahr" (late year), "Herbst" is the most neutral and frequently used term.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Herbst"
Article Mnemonic: Think of the 'Herr' (Mr./Lord -> masculine -> der) Herbst strolling through the colorful woods. The wind (also der Wind) blows the leaves around his ears.
Meaning Mnemonic: In Herbst, you 'harvest' the last fruits and the leaves 'burst' from the trees in color before falling. 'Herbst' sounds a bit like 'harvest'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Das Spätjahr: (Late year) More formal or elevated term for autumn.
- Der Nachsommer: (After-summer) Often refers to the early, still warm part of autumn (Indian summer).
- Die Erntezeit: (Harvest time) Emphasizes the agricultural aspect of autumn.
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words
- erben (verb): Sounds somewhat similar but means 'to inherit'.
- herb (adjective): Means 'tart', 'dry' (like wine), or 'austere'.
😂 An Autumn Joke
Warum sind Bäume im Herbst so schlecht im Versteckspiel?
Weil sie immer ihre Blätter fallen lassen! 🍂
(Why are trees so bad at hide-and-seek in autumn? Because they always drop their leaves!)
📜 Autumn Poem Snippet
Bunt sind schon die Wälder,
Gelb die Stoppelfelder,
Und der Herbst beginnt.
Rote Blätter fallen,
Graue Nebel wallen,
Kühler weht der Wind.
(Beginning of a famous German folk song by Johann Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis)
Translation:
Colorful are the woods already,
Yellow the stubble fields,
And autumn begins.
Red leaves are falling,
Grey mists drift,
Cooler blows the wind.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich male die Blätter in Rot und Gold,
Bring Regen und Wind, mal lieb, mal schroff,
Lass Drachen steigen, hoch und toll,
Bin weder Sommer noch Winter – wer bin ich wohl?
(I paint the leaves in red and gold,
Bring rain and wind, sometimes kind, sometimes bold,
Let kites fly high, a sight to behold,
I'm neither summer nor winter – who am I, all told?)
Solution: Der Herbst (Autumn/Fall)
💡 More Information
- Etymology: The word "Herbst" is related to the English word "harvest" and the Latin "carpere" (to pluck). It originally denoted the time of gathering crops.
- Cultural Notes: Many cultures have autumn festivals like Erntedankfest (Thanksgiving). Autumn is also a frequent theme in art, music, and literature, sometimes associated with melancholy.
- Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): Herbsttag (autumn day), Herbstlaub (autumn leaves), Herbstferien (autumn holidays/fall break), Herbststurm (autumn storm), Herbstzeitlose (autumn crocus flower), Herbstbeginn (start of autumn), Spätherbst (late autumn), Altweibersommer (Indian summer).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Herbst?
The word "Herbst" is always masculine. The correct form is: der Herbst. It means autumn or fall, the season between summer and winter.