der
Juli
☀️ What does "der Juli" mean?
Der Juli is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and is positioned between Juni (June) and August. It is typically one of the warmest months in the Northern Hemisphere and is often associated with Sommer (summer), Sonne (sun), Ferien (holidays), and Freizeit (leisure time).
There is only one article for this month name: der Juli. Months in German are always masculine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
📝 Grammar of "der Juli" in Detail
The word "Juli" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun | Translation Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Juli | (the) July (subject) |
| Genitive | des | Juli / Julis | of (the) July |
| Dative | dem | Juli | to/for/in (the) July |
| Accusative | den | Juli | (the) July (direct object) |
🚨 Note: The plural of "Juli" is normally not used, as there is only one month of July. In special contexts (e.g., "die Julis meiner Kindheit" - the Julys of my childhood), the plural would theoretically be "die Julis", but this is very rare.
Example Sentences
- Im Juli fahren wir in den Urlaub.
(In July, we are going on vacation.) - Der siebte Monat des Jahres ist der Juli.
(The seventh month of the year is July.) - Wir freuen uns auf die warmen Tage des Juli / Julis.
(We are looking forward to the warm days of July.) - Sie hat ihren Geburtstag im Juli.
(She has her birthday in July.)
🏖️ When to use "der Juli"?
"Der Juli" is used to refer to the seventh month of the year.
- Dates: "Wir treffen uns am 5. Juli." (We meet on July 5th.) - Often used with the preposition "im": "im Juli" (in July)
- Time periods: "Der ganze Juli war sehr heiß." (The whole of July was very hot.)
- Events: "Das Festival findet im Juli statt." (The festival takes place in July.)
- General conversation about the year: "Nach dem Juni kommt der Juli." (After June comes July.)
The preposition "im" (a contraction of in dem) is very commonly used with month names: "Im Juli haben wir Ferien." (In July, we have holidays.)
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Juli"
Remembering the article: All months are masculine in German. Think of der Kalender (the calendar), der Monat (the month), so it's also der Juli.
Remembering the meaning: Think of summer Jubilation in July. Or remember it's named after Julius Caesar (a man, hence 'der').
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- Heumonat (archaic: hay month): Older name for July, referring to the hay harvest.
⚠️ Similar words: Be careful not to confuse "Juli" with "Juni" (June) – they sound similar but are different months.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum schwitzen Informatiker im Juli so sehr?
Weil die Windows offen sind!
(Why do IT specialists sweat so much in July?
Because the Windows are open!)
📜 Poem about July
Der Juli kommt mit Sonnenschein,
lädt uns zum Baden, Draußensein.
Die Tage lang, die Nächte lau,
der Himmel oft so strahlend blau.
Ferienzeit für Groß und Klein,
so schön kann nur der Juli sein.
(July arrives with sunshine bright,
Invites us out to swim, day and night.
The days are long, the nights are mild,
The sky often so radiant, wild.
Holiday time for young and old,
Only July can be so bold.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich folge dem Juni, heiß und lang,
bring Sonne, Urlaub, Vogelsang.
Mein Name ehrt 'nen Römer sehr,
ich bin der siebte, komm doch her!
Wer bin ich?
... Der Juli
(I follow June, hot and long,
Bring sun, vacation, birds' sweet song.
My name honors a Roman great,
I am the seventh, don't be late!
Who am I?
... July / Der Juli)
💡 More about "der Juli"
Origin of the Name: The month Juli is named after the Roman statesman Gaius Julius Caesar. Before Caesar's calendar reform, the month was called "Quintilis" (the fifth), as the Roman year originally began in March.
Special Features: In many countries, der Juli is the main summer holiday month.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Juli?
The word "Juli" is a masculine noun and always takes the article der (e.g., der Juli). It refers to the seventh month of the year, July.