der
Mai
🗓️ What does 'der Mai' mean?
Der Mai is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and lies between April (April) and Juni (June).
It is often called „Wonnemonat“ (month of bliss/delight), because nature is in full bloom during this time and many festivals are celebrated, like der Maifeiertag (May Day / Labour Day) on May 1st.
The name derives from the Roman goddess Maia, who represented growth and fertility.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar of 'der Mai' in Detail
The word „Mai“ is a masculine noun and therefore uses the article der. It is mainly used in the singular.
Singular Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Without Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Mai | ein Mai | Mai |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Mai / des Mais | eines Mai / eines Mais | Mai / Mais |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem Mai | einem Mai | Mai |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Mai | einen Mai | Mai |
🚨 Note: The genitive form „des Mais“ is used less frequently than „des Mai“.
Example Sentences
💬 How to use 'der Mai'?
The term „Mai“ is used to name the specific month.
- Time references: Often used with prepositions like im (in the), Anfang (beginning of), Mitte (middle of), Ende (end of). Example: „Das Wetter im Mai ist oft schön.“ (The weather in May is often nice.), „Wir treffen uns Anfang Mai.“ (We'll meet at the beginning of May.)
- Festivals and Customs: Der 1. Mai (May Day), setting up the Maibaum (Maypole), Tanz in den Mai (Dance into May).
- As „Wonnemonat“: Poetic or colloquial term for the blossoming of nature and the season of love.
- No Plural: As a rule, „Mai“ is not used in the plural. If referring to several Mays, you would phrase it differently (e.g., „die Mai-Monate der letzten Jahre“ - the May months of recent years).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article „der“: Imagine Der strong Ma(n) celebrating in May. Linking 'Man' (masculine) to 'May' helps remember der Mai.
Meaning (Month): Maybe all insects come out in May? Think of bees (Bienen), mayflies (Eintagsfliegen), and cockchafers (Maikäfer) – all active in Mai.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Wonnemonat: (poetic, month of bliss/delight)
- Blumenmonat: (less common, descriptive 'flower month')
Similar Words (Be careful!)
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: „Welcher Monat kommt nach dem April?“
Fritzchen überlegt: „Der Mai?“
Lehrer: „Richtig! Und wer kommt nach dem Mai?“
Fritzchen: „Die Maikäfer!“
Teacher asks: "Which month comes after April?"
Little Fritz thinks: "May?"
Teacher: "Correct! And who comes after May?"
Little Fritz: "The May bugs (cockchafers)!"
✍️ Poem about May
Der Frühling lacht, die Sonne scheint,
der Mai ist da, so lieb gemeint.
Die Vögel singen froh im Hain,
im Mai will jeder glücklich sein.
Die Blumen blühen bunt und prächtig,
die Luft ist lau, die Welt ist mächtig.
Der Wonnemonat, wunderbar,
bringt Freude für das ganze Jahr.
Spring laughs, the sun does shine,
May is here, so truly kind.
The birds sing gladly in the grove,
In May, everyone wants to find love (or happiness).
The flowers bloom, colorful and grand,
The air is mild across the land.
The month of bliss, so wonderful,
Brings joy for the whole year, plentiful.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin der fünfte im Kalenderreigen,
lasse Blumen und Bäume Zweige zeigen.
Vor mir kommt der April mit seinem Wetter,
nach mir der Juni, noch viel netter.
Man nennt mich auch den Wonnemonat,
wer bin ich wohl, parat?
I'm the fifth in the calendar's row,
I make flowers bloom and tree branches grow.
Before me comes April with its weather ways,
After me June, with much nicer days.
They also call me the month of delight,
Who am I then, shining bright?
→ Der Mai (May)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Origin of the Name: Named after the Roman goddess Maia.
- Holidays: Important days in May include der 1. Mai (Labour Day), Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day), and often Pfingsten (Pentecost/Whitsun - movable holidays).
- Farmer's Rules (Bauernregeln): There are many traditional weather sayings for May, e.g., „Ist der Mai kühl und nass, füllt’s dem Bauern Scheun’ und Fass.“ (If May is cool and wet, it fills the farmer's barn and barrel.)
- Cockchafer (Maikäfer): This type of beetle is named after the month (Mai-käfer = May beetle) because it often swarms in May.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mai?
The word "Mai" for the fifth month of the year is always masculine. So the correct article is der Mai.