die
Dürre
🌵 What does "die Dürre" mean?
Die Dürre (feminine noun) describes a state of prolonged dryness caused by a lack of precipitation (Regen, Schnee - rain, snow, etc.) over an extended period. This often leads to water shortages (Wassermangel), crop failures (Ernteausfälle), and ecological problems.
Essentially, it's a period with significantly less rain than usual, which can have far-reaching consequences. Sometimes it's also used metaphorically, e.g., for a period without ideas or success (a "kreative Dürre" - creative drought).
Since only "die" was provided as the article, we focus on this primary meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Dürre
The noun "Dürre" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die".
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Dürre |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Dürre |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Dürre |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Dürre |
Plural
The plural "die Dürren" is used less frequently, mostly when referring to different periods or occurrences of drought.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dürren |
| Genitive | der | Dürren |
| Dative | den | Dürren |
| Accusative | die | Dürren |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die anhaltende Dürre bedroht die Ernte. (The ongoing drought threatens the harvest.)
- Die Folgen der Dürre sind katastrophal. (The consequences of the drought are catastrophic.)
- Viele Regionen leiden unter der Dürre. (Many regions suffer from the drought.)
- Wir müssen uns auf die Dürre vorbereiten. (We must prepare for the drought.)
- Die Dürren der letzten Jahre häufen sich. (The droughts of recent years are increasing.)
🗣️ How to use "die Dürre"?
"Die Dürre" is primarily used in the context of Wetter (weather), Klima (climate), Landwirtschaft (agriculture), and the Umwelt (environment).
- Weather reports: You often hear about impending or existing Dürren in specific regions.
- Agriculture: Farmers and gardeners talk about the effects of die Dürre on plants and animals.
- Climate change: Increasing periods of Dürre are frequently discussed in connection with global warming.
- News: Reports on water shortages (Wassermangel), forest fires (Waldbrände), or famines are often linked to Dürren.
- Metaphorically: Less common, but possible, is its use in a figurative sense, e.g., "Nach der erfolgreichen Kampagne folgte eine kreative Dürre im Marketingteam." (After the successful campaign, a creative drought followed in the marketing team.)
⚠️ Important: Don't confuse "die Dürre" (drought) with "der Durst" (thirst, the feeling of needing to drink). Although both relate to dryness, their meanings are different.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Dürre"
-
For the article "die":
Imagine the sun beating down, drying everything – in German weather phenomena or conditions are often feminine: die Hitze (the heat), die Kälte (the cold), die Trockenheit (the dryness), and thus die Dürre. Think: The earth (die Erde) suffers from the drought (der Dürre in Dative).
-
For the meaning "drought/dryness":
The word "Dürre" sounds like the German adjective "dürr", meaning thin, skinny, or arid/dry. A Dürre makes the land "dürr". Picture a *dry* riverbed – the result of a Dürre.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Trockenheit: (Dryness) Very similar, often interchangeable. "Dürre" often emphasizes the length and severity.
- Der Wassermangel: (Water shortage) Describes a consequence of drought.
- Die Trockenperiode: (Dry period) Emphasizes the time aspect.
- Die Aridität: (Aridity) Technical term for dryness/climatic condition.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Nässe: (Wetness) General opposite of dryness.
- Die Feuchtigkeit: (Moisture, humidity) Opposite of dryness.
- Die Regenzeit: (Rainy season) Period with lots of precipitation.
- Die Überschwemmung / Das Hochwasser: (Flood) Extreme opposite – too much water.
- Der Niederschlag: (Precipitation) Rain, snow etc., the lack of which leads to Dürre.
💡 Similar words: "Der Durst" (thirst - the feeling), "dürr" (dry/arid - adjective).
😄 A little joke
DE: Fragt ein Tourist in der Wüste einen Einheimischen: "Sagen Sie mal, hat es hier schon lange nicht mehr geregnet?" Antwortet der Einheimische: "Ich weiß nicht genau, ich wohne hier erst seit 60 Jahren..."
EN: A tourist in the desert asks a local: "Tell me, hasn't it rained here in a long time?" The local replies: "I don't know exactly, I've only lived here for 60 years..."
📜 Poem about Drought
DE:
Die Sonne brennt, kein Tropfen fällt,
das Land ist rissig, fahl die Welt.
Die Erde dürstet, stöhnt und klagt,
die Dürre hat sich breitgemacht.
Der Fluss ein Band, so dünn und leer,
kein Regen kommt, das Herz wird schwer.
EN:
The sun burns, not a drop does fall,
The land is cracked, pale over all.
The earth thirsts, groans and does complain,
The drought has settled on the plain.
The river a ribbon, thin and bare,
No rain arrives, the heart's in care.
❓ Riddle
DE:
Ich komme ohne einen Laut,
hab Felder rissig angeschaut.
Ich lasse Flüsse winzig klein,
und bringe Mensch und Tier in Pein.
Wenn Regen fehlt für lange Zeit,
bin ich die traurige Wirklichkeit.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I come without a single sound,
Make fields look cracked upon the ground.
I make the rivers shrink so small,
Bring pain to humans, beasts, and all.
When rain is missed for spans so wide,
I am the sadness deep inside.
What am I?
Solution: Die Dürre (The Drought)
🧩 Other Information
Word Formation:
"Die Dürre" is derived from the adjective "dürr", which means dry, thin, skinny, or arid. It thus describes the state of being dürr.
Cultural Significance:
Droughts (Dürren) are often central themes in myths, stories, and religions, frequently depicted as divine punishment or major tests for humanity. They have profound impacts on societies and ecosystems.
Summary: is it der, die or das Dürre?
The word "Dürre" is feminine, so the correct article is die Dürre.