die  Feuchtigkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɔɪ̯çkɑɪt/

💧 What does Feuchtigkeit mean?

Die Feuchtigkeit (noun, feminine) describes the presence of water or another liquid in small quantities, often as vapor in the air or as dampness in or on a material. It translates to moisture or humidity.

• As air humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air. Example: Die hohe Feuchtigkeit im Sommer ist oft unangenehm. (The high humidity in summer is often unpleasant.)
• In materials: The presence of water in solid substances. Example: Feuchtigkeit im Mauerwerk kann zu Schimmel führen. (Moisture in the masonry can lead to mold.)
• On surfaces: A thin layer of liquid. Example: Am Morgen lag Feuchtigkeit auf den Gräsern. (In the morning, there was moisture on the grass.)

⚠️ It's mostly an uncountable noun, similar to 'water' or 'air'. The plural 'die Feuchtigkeiten' is very rare and used only in specific, often technical or scientific contexts, to describe different types or occurrences of moisture.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Feuchtigkeit in Detail

The word "Feuchtigkeit" is a feminine noun. As it is mostly uncountable, it is primarily used in the singular. The article is die.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

As mentioned, the plural 'die Feuchtigkeiten' is rare. If used, the declension is:

Example Sentences

1. Die Feuchtigkeit in der Luft ist heute sehr hoch. (The humidity in the air is very high today.)
2. Wegen der Feuchtigkeit müssen wir die Wand trocknen. (Because of the moisture, we have to dry the wall.)
3. Mit dieser Feuchtigkeit im Keller müssen wir etwas unternehmen. (We have to do something about this moisture in the basement.)
4. Ich spüre die Feuchtigkeit auf meiner Haut. (I feel the moisture on my skin.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

"Feuchtigkeit" is used in various contexts:

• Weather & Climate: Used to talk about high or low air humidity (Luftfeuchtigkeit). Example: Tropische Gebiete haben oft eine hohe Feuchtigkeit. (Tropical regions often have high humidity.)
• House & Construction: Often refers to unwanted dampness in walls, basements, or on windows. Example: Die Feuchtigkeit im Bad führt zu Schimmelbildung. (The moisture in the bathroom leads to mold growth.)
• Materials & Substances: Describes the water content in materials like wood, soil, or textiles. Example: Die Erde braucht mehr Feuchtigkeit, damit die Pflanzen wachsen. (The soil needs more moisture for the plants to grow.)
• Body & Skincare: Describes the skin's water content. Example: Diese Creme spendet der Haut Feuchtigkeit. (This cream moisturizes the skin / provides moisture to the skin.)

Distinction: While Nässe (wetness) often describes a clearly visible, larger amount of liquid (e.g., wet clothes), Feuchtigkeit is more subtle, often only palpable or measurable.

🧠 Mnemonics for Feuchtigkeit

For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -keit (like Fröhlichkeit - happiness, Möglichkeit - possibility, Sauberkeit - cleanliness) are almost always feminine in German. So, remember: die Feuchtigkeit!

For the meaning: Imagine you fight (sounds like 'feucht') the dampness in your basement. This dampness or humidity is Feuchtigkeit. Or think of 'Moist-ish-keit' - 'keit' often makes nouns, and 'feucht' means moist/damp.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar words: Be careful with Feuchte – it can be used synonymously with Feuchtigkeit, but is sometimes slightly more informal or technical (e.g., relative Feuchte - relative humidity).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Regentropfen den anderen: "Was ist dein größtes Problem?"
Sagt der andere: "Die ständige Feuchtigkeit am Arbeitsplatz!"

Translation:
One raindrop asks the other: "What's your biggest problem?"
The other says: "The constant moisture/humidity at the workplace!"

📜 Poem about Moisture

Die Luft ist schwer, ein feuchter Hauch,
liegt auf der Haut, im Kellerrauch.
An Fenstern Perlen, zart und klein,
die Feuchtigkeit zieht langsam ein.
Mal Segen für das durst'ge Land,
mal Schimmel an der kühlen Wand.

Translation:
The air is heavy, a damp breath,
lies on the skin, in cellar smoke.
On windows beads, delicate and small,
the moisture slowly seeps in.
Sometimes a blessing for the thirsty land,
sometimes mold on the cool wall.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin oft unsichtbar in Luft,
doch manchmal bring ich Moderduft.
Ich perle morgens auf dem Gras,
und mach die Wäsche draußen nass.
Im Sommer drückend, im Bad ein Graus,
wer bin ich? Finde es heraus!

Translation:
I am often invisible in air,
but sometimes bring a musty smell.
I bead on the grass in the morning light,
and make the laundry outside wet at night.
Oppressive in summer, a dread in the bath,
who am I? Find out the path!

Solution: die Feuchtigkeit (moisture/humidity)

🧩 Further Details

Word Formation: The word "Feuchtigkeit" is derived from the adjective feucht (moist, damp, humid) using the suffix -igkeit. This suffix is commonly used to form nouns from adjectives, describing a quality or state (like in Sauberkeit from sauber - clean, Schnelligkeit from schnell - fast).

Measurement: Air humidity (Luftfeuchtigkeit) is often measured with a hygrometer and expressed as a percentage (%) (relative Luftfeuchtigkeit).