der  September

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɛpˈtɛmbɐ/

📅 What does 'der September' mean?

Der September is the ninth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. *It has 30 days and often marks the transition from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.*

*The name comes from the Latin word* „septem“, *meaning 'seven', because it was originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar (which started in March).*

🚨 *Although „septem“ means seven, September is the ninth month today. This is a common source of confusion!*

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'September' in Detail

*The word „September“ is a masculine noun. Its definite article is always* der.

Declension Singular

Note: In the Genitive case, both forms („des Septembers“ and „des September“) are possible, though „des Septembers“ is slightly more common.

Declension Plural

*Names of months are usually not used in the plural. However, if referring to multiple specific Septembers (e.g., across years), the plural is* „die September“. *The declension then follows standard feminine plural patterns.*

💡 Example Sentences

1. Im September beginnt der Herbst.
   (Autumn begins in September.)
2. Wir freuen uns auf unseren Urlaub im September.
   (We are looking forward to our vacation in September.)
3. Der Geburtstag meiner Schwester ist im September.
   (My sister's birthday is in September.)
4. Das Wetter des Septembers war ungewöhnlich warm.
   (The September weather / The weather of September was unusually warm.)
5. Viele Feste finden im September statt.
   (Many festivals take place in September.)

💬 How to use 'September'?

„Der September“ is used to refer to the ninth month of the year.

• Time expressions: *Use the preposition „in“ with the Dative case:* im September (= in dem September). *Example:* „Wir heiraten im September.“ (We are getting married in September.)
• Periods within the month: *You can specify parts of the month:* Anfang September (early September), Mitte September (mid-September), Ende September (late September). *Example:* „Die Schule beginnt wieder Anfang September.“ (School starts again in early September.)
• Dates: *For specific dates, use the Dative:* „am ersten September“ (on the first of September).
• Genitive case: *Used to express possession or relation:* „Das Wetter des Septembers“ (The weather of September) or „Die Ereignisse des September“ (The events of September).

*There are no different meanings associated with the article, as 'September' only uses* der.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article 'der': *All month names in German are masculine ('der'). Think:* Der Monat (the month) -> der September. *Like* der Sommer (the summer) or der Herbst (the autumn), which September leads into.*

Meaning (Ninth Month): *Remember the mismatch: Its name sounds like 'seven' (Sep-tem), but it's the* ninth *month. Think 'S'eptember = 'S'econd month of autumn (roughly), and autumn starts after summer (6 months + July + August = 8 months gone), so it's the 9th.*

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• siebter: *The ordinal number 'seventh', which matches the Latin root „septem“ but not the month's current position.*

😄 A Little Joke

Warum gehen Skelette nicht gerne im September auf Partys?

Weil sie keinen „Körper“ haben, um im Herbstlaub zu tanzen! 😉

--- Translation ---

Why don't skeletons like going to parties in September?

Because they have no body to dance in the autumn leaves with! ('no body' sounds like 'nobody')

📜 Poem about September

Der September kommt geschwind,
Bringt den ersten Herbsteswind.
Blätter färben sich nun bunt,
Tun uns ihre Pracht kund.
Äpfel reif und Trauben süß,
Ein letzter warmer Sonnengruß.
Der neunte Monat, klar und rein,
So soll der September sein.

--- Translation ---

September comes swiftly near,
Brings the first autumn wind here.
Leaves now turn colourful and bright,
Showing us their splendid sight.
Apples ripe and grapes so sweet,
A final warm sun's greeting heat.
The ninth month, clear and pure,
Thus September should endure.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin der Neunte im Jahresreigen,
Lass bunte Blätter von den Bäumen schweigen.
Mein Name klingt nach „sieben“, doch das war einmal,
Nun bring ich Herbst und kühl'res Tal.

Wer bin ich?

Lösung: Der September

--- Translation ---

I am the ninth in the year's array,
Let colourful leaves fall from trees and sway.
My name sounds like 'seven', but that's in the past,
Now I bring autumn and cooler valleys vast.

Who am I?

Solution: September

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: *As mentioned, from Latin* septem *(seven).*
• Bauernregeln (Farmer's Rules): *There are many traditional German sayings about September, predicting weather and harvest outcomes, e.g.:*
  • „Ist der September warm und klar, hofft man auf ein gutes nächstes Jahr.“ (If September is warm and clear, one hopes for a good next year.)
  • „Donnert's im September noch, wird der Schnee um Weihnacht hoch.“ (If it still thunders in September, the snow at Christmas will be deep.)
• Zodiac Signs: *The zodiac signs in September are Virgo (until approx. 22nd/23rd) and Libra (from approx. 23rd/24th).*
• Historical Events: *Many significant historical events took place in September.*