der  Süden

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzyːdn̩/

🌍 What exactly is 'der Süden'?

Der Süden is a masculine noun and primarily refers to one of the four cardinal directions, namely the direction directly opposite North. On a compass rose, the needle points south when it is at 180 degrees.

However, it can also refer to a geographical region:

• Cardinal Direction: The direction in which the sun is highest at noon (in the Northern Hemisphere). Example: Der Vogel fliegt nach Süden. (The bird flies south.)
• Geographical Region: An area located in the southern part of a country, continent, or the world. Example: Wir verbringen unseren Urlaub im Süden Frankreichs. (We spend our holidays in the South of France.) Often, "der Süden" is also used synonymously for warmer, sunnier regions.

🚨 Attention: When indicating a direction, often no preposition with an article is used, but simply "nach Süden" (to the south), "Richtung Süden" (towards the south). However, when talking about the region, it's "im Süden" (in the south), "der Süden" (the south).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of 'der Süden' in detail

"Süden" is a masculine noun and is used with the article der. It is generally used only in the singular.

Example Sentences

• Der Kompass zeigt nach Süden.
  (The compass points south.)
• Im Süden Deutschlands ist es oft wärmer als im Norden.
  (In the south of Germany, it is often warmer than in the north.)
• Die Zugvögel ziehen im Herbst in den Süden.
  (The migratory birds move south in autumn.)
• Die Sehnsucht nach dem Süden packte ihn jeden Winter.
  (The longing for the South gripped him every winter.)

🧭 When and how to use 'der Süden'?

• Indicating Direction: Often with prepositions like nach (to), aus (from), von (from), Richtung (towards). Usually without an article here. Example: "Wir fahren nach Süden." (We are driving south.), "Der Wind kommt aus Süden." (The wind comes from the south.)
• Indicating Location (Region): Often with prepositions like in (in), im (=in dem) (in the). Usually with the definite article here. Example: "Er lebt im Süden des Landes." (He lives in the south of the country.), "Der Tourismus blüht im Süden." (Tourism flourishes in the south.)
• Symbolically: Often represents warmth, sun, holidays, a more relaxed way of life. Example: "Er träumt vom Leben im Süden." (He dreams of life in the South.)
• Distinction from südlich: "Süden" is the noun (the direction/region itself). "Südlich" is the adjective or adverb (describing a location or direction). Compare: "Wir fahren nach Süden." (Noun) vs. "Wir fahren in südlicher Richtung." (Adjective: southern direction) or "Das Dorf liegt südlich der Stadt." (Adverb/Preposition: south of the city).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Süden'

Mnemonic for the Article (der): Think of the compass needle as a point-ER: DER point-ER points to der Süden. Or imagine: You get a sunbuRn (SonnenbRand) in DER Süden. (The 'R' sound helps remember 'der').

Mnemonic for the Meaning (South): Both Süden and South start with 'S'. Also, think of the Sun (die Sonne) which is highest in the Süden (South) at noon.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Related Terms (Be careful not to confuse!)

• südlich: Adjective/Adverb (e.g., das südliche Ufer - the southern bank, südlich von hier - south of here). Describes a location relative to the south.
• Süddeutschland: Specific geographical region in Germany (Southern Germany).
• Südländer: Term for people from southern (usually European) countries; can be stereotypical.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Frage: Warum nehmen Ameisen keinen Kompass mit in den Süden? Antwort: Weil sie sich einfach am Ameisen-Highway Richtung Sonne orientieren!

English: Question: Why don't ants take a compass to the south? Answer: Because they just follow the ant highway towards the sun!

☀️ A Poem about the South

German:
Der Süden ruft, wo Wärme wohnt,
Wo Sonne auf der Haut sich lohnt.
Der Kompass zeigt, es ist nicht weit,
Zur unbeschwerten, lichten Zeit.
Palmen wiegen sich im Wind,
Wo Glück und Ruhe man leicht find'.
Ach, der Süden, hell und klar,
Bleibt Sehnsuchtsort, Jahr für Jahr.

English Translation:
The South calls, where warmth resides,
Where sun upon the skin presides.
The compass shows, it's not too far,
To carefree times, beneath a star.
Palm trees sway gently in the breeze,
Where happiness is found with ease.
Oh, the South, so bright and clear,
Remains a place of longing, year by year.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin eine Richtung, klar und rein,
Gegenüber vom kalten Nordenschein.
Die Zugvögel fliegen zu mir hin,
Wo Wärme ist, liegt oft mein Sinn.
Auf dem Kompass fest mein Platz,
Ich bin ein Himmelsrichtungs-Schatz.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a direction, clear and pure,
Opposite the North's cold lure.
The migratory birds fly towards me,
Where warmth is, my sense tends to be.
On the compass, my place is fast,
I'm a cardinal direction treasure, vast.

Who am I?
(Answer: Der Süden / The South)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Süden" comes from the Old High German word "sunt", which is likely related to the word "Sonne" (sun), as the sun is in the south at noon.
• Compass Rose: On a compass rose, South (Süden - S) is one of the four main markings, along with North (Norden - N), East (Osten - O/E), and West (Westen - W).
• Cultural Connotations: The South is often associated with relaxation, holidays, warmth, but sometimes also with certain stereotypes or lifestyles.