die
Dauer
⏳ What does "die Dauer" mean?
The noun die Dauer (feminine) describes a period of time or the length over which something extends or lasts. It refers to the temporal extent of an event, state, or process.
- Temporal extent: The length of a time interval (e.g., die Dauer eines Films - the duration of a movie, einer Reise - a trip, einer Krankheit - an illness).
- Persistence/Continuation: The continuation or persistence of a state or situation (e.g., die Dauer einer Freundschaft - the duration of a friendship, die Dauer der Wirkung eines Medikaments - the duration of a drug's effect).
There is only this one article for the word "Dauer".
Article rules for der, die, and das
Time → mostly feminine.
There are many exceptions, e.g. the entire category "Weekdays, months, seasons" (masculine/der).
📐 Grammar of "die Dauer"
"Dauer" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dauer |
| Genitive | der | Dauer |
| Dative | der | Dauer |
| Accusative | die | Dauer |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dauern |
| Genitive | der | Dauern |
| Dative | den | Dauern |
| Accusative | die | Dauern |
Note: The plural "Dauern" is used less frequently and often refers to recurring periods or different types of duration.
Examples for clarification
- Die Dauer des Films beträgt zwei Stunden. (The duration of the movie is two hours.)
- Wir waren überrascht von der langen Dauer des Meetings. (We were surprised by the long duration of the meeting.)
- Über die Dauer der Veranstaltung gibt es noch keine Informationen. (There is no information yet about the duration of the event.)
- Auf Dauer ist diese Belastung nicht tragbar. (Idiom: In the long run, this burden is not sustainable.)
🗣️ How to use "Dauer"?
"Dauer" is used to describe the length or persistence of something.
- Events: Die Dauer eines Konzerts (the duration of a concert), eines Spiels (a game), einer Prüfung (an exam).
- States: Die Dauer einer Krankheit (the duration of an illness), einer Beziehung (a relationship), einer Wartezeit (a waiting time).
- Processes: Die Dauer eines Bauprojekts (the duration of a construction project), einer Reparatur (a repair).
- More abstractly: Often in fixed phrases like "auf Dauer" (in the long run, long-term).
Difference from similar words:
- Zeitspanne/Zeitraum: Similar, but often emphasize the start and end points more. "Dauer" emphasizes the length itself.
- Frist: Refers to a set deadline by which something must be completed, not the length of a process.
Example: "Die Dauer der Bearbeitung beträgt drei Wochen." (The processing duration is three weeks.) vs. "Die Frist für die Einreichung endet morgen." (The deadline for submission is tomorrow.)
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Dauer"
Article Mnemonic: Many feminine nouns end in -e, but also many in -er (like "Dauer") or -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft. Think of related time concepts that are feminine: die Zeit (time), die Stunde (hour), die Weile (while). This helps associate die Dauer.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine something takes a long time and feels quite dour or tedious because it dauert (lasts) so long. This long time span is die Dauer (duration).
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Zeitspanne: Time span, period.
- Zeitraum: Period of time.
- Länge: Length (often referring to time).
- Frist: Deadline (implies a preceding duration).
- Fortbestand: Continuation, persistence.
- Andauern: The act of lasting or continuing.
⚠️ Caution: Not all synonyms are interchangeable in every context. Nuances are important!
😂 A little joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Was dauert bei euch zu Hause am längsten?"
Antwortet Fritzchen: "Das Kochen! Mama sagt immer, das dauert eine Ewigkeit, bis Papa endlich nach Hause kommt und anfängt."
Teacher asks: "What takes the longest time at your home?"
Little Fritz answers: "The cooking! Mom always says it takes an eternity until Dad finally comes home and starts."
✍️ Poem about Duration
Die Zeit verrinnt, die Uhr sie schlägt,
Die Dauer misst, was sich bewegt.
Ein Lachen kurz, ein Leben lang,
Die Dauer fängt den Wandel ein, bang.
Mal kurz, mal lang, wie's Schicksal will,
Hält sie die Welt in Atem still.
Time flows by, the clock it strikes,
Duration measures what moves and likes.
A short laugh, a whole life long,
Duration captures change, anxious and strong.
Sometimes short, sometimes drawn out, as fate decrees,
It holds the world breathless with ease.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keinen Anfang und kein End', doch mess' ich, wie die Zeit verbrennt.
Mal bin ich kurz, mal zieh' ich mich hin,
Was bin ich wohl für ein Ding?
I have no beginning and no end, yet I measure how time is spent.
Sometimes I'm short, sometimes I extend,
What kind of thing am I, my friend?
Solution: die Dauer (duration)
🧩 More Tidbits
Word Formation:
The noun "Dauer" is derived from the verb dauern (to last, to take time).
Common Phrases:
- auf Dauer: in the long run, long-term (e.g., "Das ist auf Dauer keine Lösung." - That's not a solution in the long run.)
- von Dauer sein: to be lasting, to endure (e.g., "Ihre Freundschaft war nicht von Dauer." - Their friendship didn't last.)
- von kurzer Dauer sein: to be short-lived (e.g., "Die Freude war nur von kurzer Dauer." - The joy was only short-lived.)
Summary: is it der, die or das Dauer?
The word "Dauer" is always feminine. The correct article is die Dauer.