der
Januar
🗓️ What does "der Januar" mean?
Der Januar is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and follows Dezember (December) of the previous year and precedes Februar (February).
The name derives from the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, entrances and exits, doors and gates. Janus was often depicted with two faces, one looking into the past (the old year) and one into the future (the new year), which fits well with the turn of the year.
There is only one article for this word: der. It is a masculine noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar of "der Januar" in Detail
"Januar" is a masculine noun. As a month name, it is often used without an article, especially after prepositions like in (in), Anfang (beginning of), Mitte (middle of), Ende (end of). When an article or adjective is used, it is declined.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Without Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Januar | ein Januar | Januar |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Januars / des Januar | eines Januars / eines Januar | Januars / Januar |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem Januar | einem Januar | Januar |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Januar | einen Januar | Januar |
🚨 *Note:* The Genitive case can be formed with -s (des Januars) or without an ending (des Januar). The form without -s is more common when the month stands alone or follows prepositions like Anfang/Mitte/Ende.
Plural
The plural of "Januar" (die Januare) is very rarely used, mostly in specific contexts, e.g., when talking about several January months over different years ("die kalten Januare der letzten Dekade" - *the cold Januaries of the last decade*).
Example Sentences
- Im Januar ist es oft sehr kalt. (It's often very cold in January.)
- Der Vertrag beginnt am ersten Januar. (The contract starts on the first of January.)
- Wir freuen uns auf einen sonnigen Januar in den Bergen. (We are looking forward to a sunny January in the mountains.)
- Die Ereignisse des Januars 2023 sind unvergessen. (The events of January 2023 are unforgettable.)
🗣️ How to use "Januar"
"Januar" is used to refer to the first month of the year.
- Time specifications: It's most commonly used with the preposition in or after time adverbs: im Januar (in January), Anfang Januar (at the beginning of January), Mitte Januar (in mid-January), Ende Januar (at the end of January). Remember im is a contraction of in dem.
- Dates: In dates, the month follows the day: der 15. Januar (the 15th of January - *spoken: der fünfzehnte Januar*).
- Comparisons/Descriptions: You can describe characteristics of the month: ein kalter Januar (a cold January), ein ereignisreicher Januar (an eventful January).
Regional variant: In Austria, Switzerland, and Southern Germany, the word "Jänner" is often used instead of "Januar". "Jänner" is also masculine (der Jänner).
⚠️ Avoid using the article when simply stating *when* something happens: "Ich fahre im Januar in den Urlaub" (*I'm going on vacation in January*). The article is only needed if the month itself is the subject or object, or is being described more specifically: "Der Januar war besonders schneereich." (*January was particularly snowy.*)
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Januar"
- Article mnemonic: Think of der erste Monat (*the first month*). Or: The god Janus gives the month *his* name - gods are often masculine in German grammar, hence `der`.
- Meaning mnemonic: Januar sounds a bit like *"Janus weary"* - after the parties of December, the year starts, perhaps a bit tired but new. Or simply associate the 'Jan' part with the Roman god Janus looking forward and backward at the start of the year.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning)
Similar but different words
There are no common confusions with words that sound similar but have a completely different meaning.
😂 A little joke
Warum freut sich der Schneemann schon im Dezember auf den Januar?
Weil er dann endlich seine "coolen" Freunde wiedersieht! ☃️
Translation:
Why does the snowman look forward to January already in December?
Because then he finally gets to see his "cool" friends again!
📜 Poem about January
Der Januar, kalt und klar,
Beginnt das frische, neue Jahr.
Mit Frost und Schnee auf Wald und Flur,
Von alter Zeit bleibt keine Spur.
Ein Neubeginn, ein weißes Blatt,
Das Janus' Blick betrachtet hat.
Translation:
January, cold and clear,
Starts the fresh, new year.
With frost and snow on woods and field,
Of old times, no trace revealed.
A new beginning, a white sheet,
That Janus' gaze has come to greet.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin der Erste in der Reih',
Bring Kälte mit und manchmal Schnee dabei.
Nach Silvesters Knall und Licht,
Beginnt mit mir das Jahrgesicht.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I am the first in line,
Bringing cold and sometimes snow divine.
After New Year's Eve's bang and light,
With me begins the year's first sight.
Who am I? Solution: Der Januar (January)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
- Name Origin: As mentioned, from the Roman god Janus.
- Days: January always has 31 days.
- Zodiac Signs: The zodiac signs in January are Steinbock (Capricorn) (until Jan 20) and Wassermann (Aquarius) (from Jan 21).
- Historically: In ancient Rome, the year originally began in March. January, along with February, was added later to the beginning of the year.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Januar?
The word "Januar" is a masculine noun, so the correct article is "der": der Januar. It refers to the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar.