der  November

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/noˈvɛmbɐ/

🗓️ What does 'der November' mean?

Der November is the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 30 days and lies between Oktober (October) and Dezember (December). The name comes from the Latin word novem, meaning "nine", as it was originally the ninth month of the Roman calendar, which began in March.

There is only one article for this month name: der. All month names in German are masculine (maskulin).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar and Declension of 'November'

The noun „November“ is masculine. Month names are usually used without a plural form, unless referring to multiple November periods over years (e.g., „die November der letzten Dekade“ - the Novembers of the last decade), which is rare. Mostly, the month is used in the singular.

Note: The genitive form ending in "-s" (des Novembers) is more common.

📝 Example Sentences

• Im November wird es oft früh dunkel. (In November, it often gets dark early.)
• Der elfte November ist Martinstag. (The eleventh of November is St. Martin's Day.)
• Wir planen unseren Urlaub für November. (We are planning our vacation for November.)
• Die Blätter fallen im November von den Bäumen. (The leaves fall from the trees in November.)
• Der kalte Wind des Novembers wehte durch die Straßen. (The cold wind of November blew through the streets.)

💡 How to use 'November'?

The term „November“ is mainly used to denote the eleventh month of the year.

• Time specifications: It's often used with prepositions like im (in November), Anfang/Mitte/Ende (at the beginning/middle/end of November), seit (since November), bis (until November).
• Associations: November is frequently associated with Herbst (autumn/fall), Nebel (fog), Regen (rain), shorter days, falling leaves (Laubfall), and the transition to Winter. It's often considered a grey and melancholic month.
• Holidays/Memorial Days: Important days in November in Germany include, for example, Allerheiligen (All Saints' Day, Nov 1st, regional), Martinstag (St. Martin's Day, Nov 11th), Volkstrauertag (National Day of Mourning), and Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead).
• No confusion: Since there's only one meaning and one article, confusion is unlikely.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Mnemonic for the article:

All month names in German are masculine. Just think: Der Monat (the month), so it's also der November. Just like der Frühling (spring), der Sommer (summer), der Herbst (autumn), and der Winter – all seasons are masculine too!

Mnemonic for the meaning:

No-vember sounds a bit like "no sun" – fitting for the often grey weather of this month. And it was the ninth (Latin: novem) month when counting from March (like the Romans did), which helps remember the name's origin.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Caution!)

There are no common words that are easily confused with „November“.

😄 A Little Joke

Frage: Was ist das Lieblingsgetränk der Bäume im November?

Antwort: Wurzelbier, denn da ziehen sie sich zurück!

Question: What is the favorite drink of trees in November?

Answer: Root beer (Wurzelbier), because that's when they retreat (ziehen sich zurück - sounds like 'pull themselves back to the roots')!

📜 Poem about November

Der Wind weht kalt, die Luft ist grau,
der November ist nun da, genau.
Die Blätter tanzen leis' im Wind,
ein Abschied, der den Winter bringt.
Die Tage kurz, die Nächte lang,
\Natur hält Winterschlaf, bang.

The wind blows cold, the air is grey,
November is now here, hooray?
The leaves dance softly in the breeze,
A farewell that brings winter's freeze.
The days are short, the nights are long,
Nature slumbers, fearful, strong.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin der elfte im Jahresreigen,
\lass bunte Blätter zur Erde sich neigen.
\Oft bring ich Nebel, Wind und Regen,
evor der Schnee fällt auf allen Wegen.
\Martinstag feiert man mit mir,
\welcher Monat bin ich hier?

I'm the eleventh in the year's round dance,
Let colorful leaves fall down, perchance.
I often bring fog, wind, and rain,
Before the snow falls on hill and plain.
St. Martin's Day is celebrated with me,
Which month am I, tell me with glee?

Solution: Der November (November)

🌐 Other Information

• Etymology: The name comes from the Latin word novem for "nine", as November was the ninth month in the old Roman calendar, which started in March.
• Zodiac Signs (Sternzeichen): The zodiac signs in November are Scorpio (Skorpion, until approx. Nov 22nd) and Sagittarius (Schütze, from approx. Nov 23rd).
• Farmer's Rules (Bauernregeln): There are many traditional farmer's sayings for November, e.g., „Bringt der November Morgenrot, der Aussaat dann viel Schaden droht.“ (If November brings a red dawn, much damage threatens the sowing.) or „Ist der November kalt und klar, wird mild und trüb der Januar.“ (If November is cold and clear, January will be mild and dreary.)