der  Schauer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃaʊɐ/

🌦️ What exactly is a Schauer?

The German word der Schauer (masculine) primarily has two meanings:

1. A short, often heavy rainfall: This is the most common meaning, comparable to a downpour or a brief shower. Example: Ein plötzlicher Schauer überraschte die Spaziergänger. (A sudden shower surprised the walkers.)
2. A sudden feeling (often cold, fear, or excitement) that runs through the body: This can be a shiver, a thrill, goosebumps, or a shudder. Example: Bei dem Gedanken lief ihm ein kalter Schauer über den Rücken. (The thought sent a cold shiver down his spine.) It can also be used positively: Ein wohliger Schauer überlief sie bei der Musik. (A pleasant thrill ran through her while listening to the music.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning. Don't confuse it with 'die Dusche' (the shower for washing).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Schauer" in Detail

Der Schauer is a masculine noun.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Ein heftiger Schauer ging über dem Tal nieder. (A heavy shower came down over the valley.) - Meaning: rain
2. Die Wettervorhersage meldet vereinzelte Schauer. (The weather forecast reports isolated showers.) - Meaning: rain
3. Mir läuft ein kalter Schauer den Rücken hinunter, wenn ich daran denke. (A cold shiver runs down my spine when I think about it.) - Meaning: feeling
4. Der Film war so spannend, er löste wohlige Schauer bei mir aus. (The movie was so thrilling, it gave me pleasant shivers/a thrill.) - Meaning: feeling
5. Nach dem kurzen Schauer kam die Sonne wieder hervor. (After the brief shower, the sun came out again.) - Meaning: rain

💡 How "der Schauer" is Used

The use of der Schauer highly depends on the context:

• In weather reports: Here, Schauer almost always refers to precipitation, often in combinations like Regenschauer (rain shower), Graupelschauer (sleet shower), or Schneeschauer (snow shower). It denotes a limited period of often intense precipitation, as opposed to Dauerregen (continuous rain) or Nieselregen (drizzle).
• To describe feelings: Here, Schauer is used to describe a sudden physical reaction to cold, fear, disgust, excitement, or sometimes joy or emotion. Typical phrases include: "ein kalter Schauer" (a cold shiver), "ein Schauer lief mir über den Rücken" (a shiver ran down my spine), "ein wohliger Schauer" (a pleasant thrill/shiver).

Distinction:

• Dusche (die): This is the shower for washing oneself. Don't confuse it with der Schauer (rain shower/shiver). Although English uses "shower" for both, the German words are distinct.
• Regenguss/Platzregen: Similar to Schauer, but often perceived as even more intense.
• Frösteln/Gänsehaut: These describe the feeling, but Schauer often emphasizes the suddenness or intensity of the physical reaction.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Schauer"

Remembering the Article: Imagine a show-er (someone showing off) who happens to be male: DER Show-er gets caught in a Schauer (rain shower) or feels a Schauer (shiver) of stage fright.

Remembering the Meanings: Think of the English word "shower". A rain Schauer is a weather shower. A feeling Schauer is like your body is having a quick internal "shower" of cold, fear, or excitement.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Schauer

⚠️ Similar Words

• Dusche (die): Means the shower for washing.
• Schauder (der): Very similar to Schauer in the sense of feeling, often stronger and more negative (horror, dread).
• Scheuer (die): Means barn or shed.

😄 A Little Schauer Joke

German: Fragt der eine Regentropfen den anderen: "Glaubst du, wir kommen als Schauer runter?" Sagt der andere: "Keine Ahnung, aber lass uns zusammenhalten, dann sind wir auf jeden Fall dichter dran!"

English Translation: One raindrop asks the other: "Do you think we'll come down as a shower (Schauer)?" The other says: "No idea, but let's stick together, then we'll definitely be denser (dichter)!" (Note: 'dichter' means both 'denser' and 'closer' in German, creating a pun).

📜 Poem about the Schauer

German:
Ein Schauer zieht am Himmel auf,
Nimmt schnell seinen Lauf.
Erst Tropfen, dann ein dichter Fall,
Erfrischt die Welt mit lautem Schall.

Doch auch im Herzen, still und leis,
Ein Schauer zieht oft seinen Kreis.
Mal kalt vor Angst, mal warm vor Glück,
Ein kurzer Gänsehaut-Augenblick.

English Translation:
A shower gathers in the sky,
Quickly it passes by.
First drops, then a dense fall,
Refreshes the world with a loud call.

But also in the heart, quiet and low,
A shiver often starts to grow.
Sometimes cold with fear, sometimes warm with bliss,
A brief goosebump moment's kiss.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich komme plötzlich, kurz und nass,
Bring Kühle mit, mach’ großen Spaß (manchmal Hass).
Manchmal lauf ich dir kalt den Rücken hinunter,
Auch ohne Regen – bin ich munter.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I come suddenly, short and wet,
Bring coolness, cause great fun (sometimes regret).
Sometimes I run cold down your spine,
Even without rain – I'm feeling fine.

What am I?

Solution: der Schauer (shower/shiver)

➕ Other Information about "Schauer"

Word Composition:

• The word Schauer is related to the verb "erschauern", meaning to shiver or tremble (from cold, fear, etc.). The connection to the weather meaning is less direct but might allude to the sudden, intense nature of the event.

Compound Nouns (Komposita):

• Regenschauer (der): Rain shower (the most common type).
• Graupelschauer (der): Sleet shower.
• Hagelschauer (der): Hail shower.
• Schneeschauer (der): Snow shower.
• Kälteschauer (der): Cold shiver.
• Angstschauer (der): Shiver of fear/dread.