der
Wind
🌬️ What does "der Wind" mean?
Der Wind primarily refers to a natural, directed movement of air in the atmosphere of varying strength. It's the result of differences in air pressure.
- Main Meaning: The perceptible or measurable movement of air outdoors (e.g., eine leichte Brise - a light breeze, ein starker Sturm - a strong storm).
- Figurative Meanings: Sometimes "Wind" is used metaphorically, e.g., in idioms like "Wind von etwas bekommen" (to get wind of something, often rumors) or "frischer Wind" (fresh wind = new ideas, changes).
⚠️ Attention: Although there's only one article, the strength and connotation of the word can vary greatly depending on the context (from a gentle breeze to a destructive hurricane).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Precipitation, wind → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
📜 Grammar of "der Wind" in Detail
"Wind" is a masculine noun (maskulines Substantiv). It follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Wind |
| Genitive | des | Windes / Winds |
| Dative | dem | Wind / Winde |
| Accusative | den | Wind |
Note: In the genitive and dative singular, two forms are often possible. The forms without -e ("des Winds", "dem Wind") are more common in modern German.
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Winde |
| Genitive | der | Winde |
| Dative | den | Winden |
| Accusative | die | Winde |
Note: The plural "die Winde" is used less often for general air movement, more in poetic language, referring to different wind directions, or in fixed expressions ("die Winde des Wandels" - the winds of change).
💡 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Wind weht heute sehr stark. (The wind is blowing very strong today.)
- Genitive: Die Stärke des Windes nimmt zu. (The strength of the wind is increasing.)
- Dative: Wir segeln mit dem Wind. (We are sailing with the wind.)
- Accusative: Ich spüre den Wind auf meiner Haut. (I feel the wind on my skin.)
- Plural: Die rauen Winde der Nordsee sind bekannt. (The rough winds of the North Sea are known.)
💨 How and When to Use "Wind"?
"Der Wind" is an everyday word used in many contexts:
- Wetterberichte (Weather reports): Describing current or predicted air movement ("mäßiger Wind" - moderate wind, "stürmischer Wind" - stormy wind).
- Natur & Freizeit (Nature & Leisure): When sailing (segeln), surfing (surfen), flying kites (Drachen steigen lassen), or simply taking a walk in nature.
- Energie (Energy): In the context of wind power and wind turbines (Windkraft, Windräder).
- Idioms & Metaphors (Redewendungen & Metaphern):
- etwas in den Wind schlagen: to ignore something (e.g., advice).
- Wind machen: to make a big fuss about something, to show off.
- wissen, woher der Wind weht: to know the cause or intention behind something.
- frischer Wind: new impulses, changes (e.g., in a company).
- sein Fähnchen nach dem Wind hängen: to change one's opinion quickly to suit the situation, to be opportunistic.
Distinction from similar words:
Brise: A light, pleasant wind.
Sturm: A very strong wind, often with rain or snow.
Orkan: An extremely strong storm (hurricane force).
Luftzug: A (often unpleasant) draft of air indoors.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article (der): Think of powerful, masculine natural forces: DER Sturm (storm), DER Orkan (hurricane), and thus DER Wind. Imagine a strong man (der Mann) standing against DER Wind.
Remembering the Meaning: The German word "Wind" sounds exactly like the English word "wind". Just remember it refers to the movement of air, not the action of winding something up!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Wind
Synonyms (Similar Words)
Potentially Confusing Words?
"Wind" (der Wind) could potentially be confused with "Wand" (die Wand - the wall) or "Wende" (die Wende - the turn/change) if misheard. Pay attention to the masculine article "der" for wind.
😄 A Little Joke about Wind
German: Fragt der eine Wind den anderen: "Na, wie geht's?" Sagt der andere: "Ach, heute bin ich etwas durch den Wind!"
English Translation: One wind asks the other: "Hey, how's it going?" The other says: "Oh, I'm a bit 'durch den Wind' today!"
(Note: "durch den Wind sein" is an idiom meaning to be confused, disoriented, or out of sorts.)
🎶 A Poem about the Wind
German:
Der Wind, der Wind, das himmlische Kind,
Mal sanft, mal wild, er weht geschwind.
Er tanzt mit Blättern, treibt Wolken fort,
Ein unsichtbarer Herrscher an jedem Ort.
English Translation:
The wind, the wind, the heavenly child,
Sometimes gentle, sometimes wild, it blows swiftly.
It dances with leaves, drives clouds away,
An invisible ruler in every place.
❓ Wind Riddle
German:
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann ich heulen und pfeifen.
Ich habe keine Hände, doch kann ich Dächer abreißen.
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch jeder fühlt meine Kraft.
Wer bin ich, der durch Himmel und Täler schafft?
English Translation:
I have no mouth, yet I can howl and whistle.
I have no hands, yet I can tear off roofs.
I have no body, yet everyone feels my strength.
Who am I, that moves through sky and valleys?
Lösung/Solution: Der Wind (The Wind)
🧐 More Interesting Facts
- Etymologie (Etymology): The word "Wind" has Germanic roots and is related to the English "wind" and the Latin "ventus".
- Wortzusammensetzungen (Compound Words): "Wind" is part of many compound words:
- Windrad / Windkraftanlage: Wind turbine / wind power plant (for energy generation)
- Windjacke: Windbreaker jacket
- Windschutzscheibe: Windshield (car)
- Windmühle: Windmill
- Windstärke: Wind force/strength (Beaufort scale)
- Windhund: Greyhound (lit. 'wind dog')
- Windbeutel: Cream puff (pastry, lit. 'wind bag')
- Meteorologie (Meteorology): The wind direction indicates where the wind is coming from (e.g., Westwind - west wind comes from the west).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wind?
The German word for wind is masculine. It is always der Wind (in the nominative singular).