der
Regen
🌧️ What does "der Regen" mean?
Der Regen means rain in English. It refers to precipitation in the form of water droplets falling from clouds to the earth. It's a very common meteorological phenomenon.
Although Regen is mostly used as an uncountable noun (you don't say ein Regen - 'a rain', but rather etwas Regen - 'some rain' or viel Regen - 'much rain'), there is a rare, often poetic or technical plural: die Regen. This is used to describe different types of rain or recurring rain events (e.g., die Frühjahrsregen - 'the spring rains').
⚠️ In everyday language, the plural is very uncommon. Instead, people talk about Regenfälle (rainfalls), Regenschauer (rain showers), or Regenperioden (rainy periods).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Precipitation, wind → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
-en → mostly masculine.
1. All diminutives with '-chen' are neutral, like 'das Mädchen'. 2. Nouns derived from verbs are always neutral ('das Schrieben'). 3. There are many -en words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar of "der Regen" in Detail
Regen is a masculine noun. The plural die Regen is rare and listed here for completeness, but hardly used in daily life.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Regen |
| Genitive | des | Regens |
| Dative | dem | Regen |
| Accusative | den | Regen |
Declension Plural - Rare
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Regen |
| Genitive | der | Regen |
| Dative | den | Regen |
| Accusative | die | Regen |
💧 Example Sentences
- Der Regen trommelt auf das Dach. (The rain is drumming on the roof.)
- Wir warten auf das Ende des Regens. (We are waiting for the end of the rain.)
- Bei diesem Regen bleiben wir lieber drinnen. (With this rain, we prefer to stay inside.)
- Ich mag den Geruch nach einem Sommerregen. (I like the smell after a summer rain.)
- (Rare:) Die heftigen Regen des Monsuns verursachten Überschwemmungen. (The heavy rains of the monsoon caused floods.)
☔ How is "Regen" used?
Der Regen is primarily used when talking about the weather.
- Typical Collocations: starker Regen (heavy rain), leichter Regen (light rain), warmer Regen (warm rain), kalter Regen (cold rain), Dauerregen (continuous rain), Nieselregen (drizzle), Platzregen (downpour), im Regen stehen (to stand in the rain), vom Regen überrascht werden (to be caught in the rain).
- Context: Weather forecasts, everyday conversations about weather, literature (often symbolic of sadness or renewal).
- Idioms (Redewendungen):
- Vom Regen in die Traufe kommen: Lit. 'To get from the rain into the eaves trough' - to go from a bad situation to an even worse one (out of the frying pan into the fire).
- Jemanden im Regen stehen lassen: Lit. 'To leave someone standing in the rain' - to leave someone high and dry, not helping them in a difficult situation.
- Nach Regen scheint Sonne: Lit. 'After rain comes sunshine' - Every cloud has a silver lining; bad times are followed by good times.
- Distinction: While Regen is the general term, Schauer refers to a short, often heavy rain shower, and Niederschlag (precipitation) is the umbrella term that also includes snow, hail, etc.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Regen"
- Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong, masculine figure like a king or Lord ('der Herr') commanding the rain. The 'r' sound is prominent in both 'der' and 'Regen'. Or: 'Der' sounds a bit like 'dear'. Oh dear, it's raining again!
- Meaning Mnemonic: "Regen" sounds a bit like the English word "reign". When it rains, water reigns from the sky.
🔁 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Niederschlag: Precipitation (general term).
- Schauer: Shower (short, often heavy rain).
- Guss / Platzregen: Downpour / cloudburst (very heavy, sudden rain).
- Nieselregen: Drizzle (very fine, light rain).
- (Colloquial) Pisse: Piss (vulgar term for unpleasant rain).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Sonnenschein: Sunshine.
- Trockenheit / Dürre: Dryness / drought.
- Klarer Himmel: Clear sky.
⚠️ Similar Words:
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Regenschirm mit?
Weil sie eh schon knochentrocken sind!
EN: Why don't skeletons take an umbrella?
Because they're already bone dry!
📜 Poem about the Rain
DE:
Der Regen fällt, ein grauer Schleier,
die Welt wird still, die Luft wird freier.
Er trommelt leis ans Fensterglas,
macht alles frisch und kühl und nass.
Ein Segen oft für dürres Land,
vom Himmel sanft herabgesandt.
EN:
The rain descends, a veil of grey,
The world grows quiet, air finds its way.
It gently drums on window panes,
Makes all things fresh, cool, wet agains(t).
A blessing oft for thirsty ground,
From heaven softly sent around.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich falle vom Himmel, doch hab keine Flügel.
Ich mache nass, doch hab kein Handtuch.
Ich tanze auf Dächern, doch hab keine Füße.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I fall from the sky, but have no wings.
I make things wet, but have no towel.
I dance on rooftops, but have no feet.
What am I?
Solution: Der Regen (The rain)
💡 Other Interesting Information
Compound Words (Komposita): "Regen" is part of many German words.
- Regenschirm (der): Umbrella (lit. 'rain shield')
- Regenmantel (der): Raincoat
- Regenbogen (der): Rainbow (lit. 'rain bow')
- Regenwasser (das): Rainwater
- Regentonne (die): Rain barrel
- Regenzeit (die): Rainy season
- Regenwurm (der): Earthworm (lit. 'rain worm', as they often surface after rain)
Cultural Significance: Rain can have both positive connotations (fertility, cleansing) and negative ones (sadness, gloom) in culture and literature.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Regen?
The German word for rain, Regen, is masculine: der Regen. The plural form die Regen exists but is very rarely used.