der  Winter

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɪntɐ/

🧊 What does "der Winter" mean?

Der Winter is the German word for winter, the coldest of the four seasons in temperate and polar zones, following autumn and preceding spring. It's characterized by low temperatures, often snow and ice, shorter days, and longer nights.

Meteorologically, winter in the Northern Hemisphere begins on December 1st and ends on the last day of February. Astronomically, it starts with the winter solstice (usually December 21st or 22nd) and ends with the spring equinox (usually March 20th or 21st).

There is only this one meaning for der Winter with the article "der".

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Der Winter

The noun "Winter" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Winter in den Bergen ist oft sehr schneereich.
  (Winter in the mountains is often very snowy.)
• Wir freuen uns auf die gemütlichen Abende des Winters.
  (We look forward to the cozy evenings of winter.)
• Im Winter fahren viele Leute Ski.
  (In winter, many people go skiing.) - Note: "Im" is a contraction of "in dem" (Dative).
• Ich mag den Winter trotz der Kälte.
  (I like winter despite the cold.)
• Die letzten Winter waren eher mild.
  (The last few winters were rather mild.)

❄️ How to use "Winter"?

"Der Winter" is primarily used to refer to the season.

• Temporal context: "Im Winter ist es kalt." (It is cold in winter.)
• Describing conditions: "Ein harter Winter." (A harsh winter.)
• Cultural contexts: "Wintersport" (winter sports), "Winterferien" (winter holidays/vacation), "Winterkleidung" (winter clothes).
• Metaphorically: Sometimes "Winter" is used metaphorically for a cold, difficult, or inactive phase (e.g., "der Winter des Lebens" for old age), although this is less common than in English.

Typical Collocations:

• strenger / harter / milder Winter (severe / harsh / mild winter)
• im tiefsten Winter (in the dead of winter)
• der Winter kommt / naht / bricht herein (winter is coming / approaching / setting in)
• den Winter überstehen / verbringen (to survive / spend the winter)

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Winter"

Article Mnemonic: Think of strong, typically masculine concepts associated with winter: der Frost (the frost), der Schneemann (the snowman), der Sturm (the storm). This helps remember: der Winter.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine feeling the WIND TERRibly cold – that’s Winter!

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse "Winter" with words like "Winzer" (vintner, winegrower).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt Fritzchen seine Mutter: "Mama, kommt nach dem Winter wirklich der Frühling?" Sagt die Mutter: "Ja, sicher, Fritzchen." Fritzchen: "Aber Papa hat gesagt, er macht mit der Nachbarin Frühjahrsputz, sobald die Luft rein ist!"

English Translation: Little Fritz asks his mother: "Mom, does spring really come after winter?" The mother says: "Yes, of course, Fritz." Fritz: "But Dad said he's doing spring cleaning with the neighbor lady as soon as the coast is clear!"

✍️ Poem about Winter

German:

Der Winter kalt und klar

Schneeflocken tanzen, leis und sacht,
Die Welt liegt still in weißer Pracht.
Der Wind, er pfeift sein frostig Lied,
Der Winter ist's, den jeder sieht.

English Translation:

Winter Cold and Clear

Snowflakes dance, soft and light,
The world lies still in splendor white.
The wind, it whistles its frosty song,
It's winter, seen by everyone.

❓ Riddle Time

German:

Ich decke die Welt in Weiß zu,
Bring Kälte, Frost und manchmal Ruh'.
Die Tage kurz, die Nächte lang,
Ich bin des Jahres letzter Gang (vor dem Neubeginn).

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:

I cover the world in white,
Bring cold, frost, and sometimes quiet.
Days are short, nights are long,
I am the year's last song (before the new beginning).

Who am I? Solution: Der Winter (Winter)

🧐 Other Information

Word Origin:

The word "Winter" comes from the Old High German "wintar", which is likely related to words meaning "water" or "wetness", reflecting the damp and cold nature of the season.

Cultural Notes:

• In German-speaking countries, der Winter is often associated with holidays like Weihnachten (Christmas) and Neujahr (New Year).
• It symbolizes rest, reflection, but also hardship and scarcity.
• Many fairy tales (Märchen) and stories are set in winter (e.g., "Die Schneekönigin" - "The Snow Queen").