die
Hitze
🌡️ What Exactly is "die Hitze"?
Die Hitze primarily describes a very high temperature that is perceived as unpleasant or intense, especially regarding weather or ambient temperature. It signifies strong warmth.
- High ambient temperature: The most common meaning, related to weather or rooms. Example: Die Hitze im Sommer war unerträglich. (The heat in summer was unbearable.)
- High body temperature (fever): Less common, somewhat colloquial or dated for Fieber (fever). Example: Das Kind hat Hitze. (The child has a fever/is hot.) (Modern: Das Kind hat Fieber.)
- Intensity/Passion (figurative): Can also be used metaphorically for strong emotions or fervor. Example: In der Hitze des Gefechts. (In the heat of the moment/battle.)
⚠️ Caution: Although related to warmth, Hitze implies a stronger, often uncomfortable intensity than Wärme (warmth), which can be neutral or pleasant.
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.
The Grammar of Heat: Feminine and Strong
The noun "Hitze" is feminine. Therefore, the article is die.
It is mostly used in the singular because Hitze is often considered an uncountable concept. The plural ("die Hitzen") is very rare and hardly ever used, perhaps only in specific technical or literary contexts.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hitze |
| Genitive | der | Hitze |
| Dative | der | Hitze |
| Accusative | die | Hitze |
Declension Plural (rare)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hitzen |
| Genitive | der | Hitzen |
| Dative | den | Hitzen |
| Accusative | die | Hitzen |
Example Sentences
- Die extreme Hitze machte allen zu schaffen.
(The extreme heat was causing problems for everyone.) - Wegen der Hitze blieben viele Menschen zu Hause.
(Because of the heat, many people stayed home.) - Wir trotzten der Hitze und gingen spazieren.
(We braved the heat and went for a walk.) - Ich kann diese Hitze nicht ertragen.
(I can't stand this heat.) - In der Hitze des Augenblicks sagte er Dinge, die er später bereute.
(In the heat of the moment, he said things he later regretted.)
🔥 Using "Hitze" in Daily Life: When and How?
"Die Hitze" is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Weather and Climate: Describing hot days, heatwaves, or high temperatures in specific regions. Example: Die Meteorologen warnen vor großer Hitze am Wochenende. (The meteorologists are warning of great heat on the weekend.)
- Physical States: Describing high temperatures of objects, fire, or industrial processes. Example: Die Hitze des Ofens war intensiv. (The heat of the oven was intense.)
- Bodily Sensations: Describing fever (rather dated/colloquial) or a feeling of overheating. Example: Sie spürte die Hitze in ihren Wangen. (She felt the heat in her cheeks - blushing.)
- Figurative Meanings: Describing intense emotions, passion, or haste/urgency. Examples: die Hitze der Debatte (the heat of the debate), in der Hitze des Gefechts (in the heat of battle/the moment).
Distinction from "Wärme": While die Wärme (warmth) is often perceived as pleasant or neutral (e.g., the warmth of the sun, the warmth of a blanket), die Hitze implies an intensity that is often perceived as uncomfortable, oppressive, or even dangerous.
Typical Collocations: große Hitze (great heat), drückende Hitze (oppressive heat), sengende Hitze (scorching heat), die Hitze des Sommers (the summer heat), unter der Hitze leiden (to suffer from the heat), der Hitze trotzen (to brave the heat).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Hitze"
Remembering the Article
Many German nouns ending in -e with two syllables are feminine. Think: die Hitze - the final 'e' helps you remember 'die'. Imagine a queen (feminine) complaining about the heat.
Remembering the Meaning
Think of the English word "hit". The Hitze *hits* you; it's intense and strong. Or think of something that makes a 'hissing' sound when it's very hot – Hi...tze.
🔄 Similar and Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Glut: Very strong, often visible heat (e.g., from embers). More intense than Hitze.
- Schwüle: Humid, oppressive heat.
- Heißzeit: Extended period of great heat (often climatological).
- Fieber: Fever (medical term for high body temperature).
- Leidenschaft/Eifer (figurative): Passion/fervor (emotional intensity).
Potentially Misleading Words
😂 A Little Joke about Heat
German: Was sagt die eine Sandale zur anderen in der Sommerhitze? – "Puh, ist das heute wieder ein heißer Auftritt!"
English Translation: What does one sandal say to the other in the summer heat? – "Phew, this is quite a hot performance/appearance today!" (It's a pun: "heißer Auftritt" can mean "hot performance/appearance" or literally "hot stepping-on/tread").
☀️ Poem about Summer Heat
German:
Die Sonne brennt, kein Wind weht mild,
Die Luft steht still, ein flimmernd Bild.
Die Hitze drückt auf Stadt und Land,
Ein kühler Schatten wär' Gewand.
Asphalt so weich, die Füße kleben,
Man sucht nach Wasser, um zu leben.
Die Hitze lähmt, macht träge sehr,
Ein Eis am Stiel, das wünscht man her!
English Translation:
The sun burns, no gentle wind blows,
The air stands still, a shimmering show.
The heat presses on city and ground,
A cool shadow would be a gown.
Asphalt so soft, feet stick and stay,
One seeks for water to live through the day.
The heat paralyzes, makes one very slow,
A popsicle is wished for, you know!
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich mache dich stöhnen.
Ich habe keine Hand, doch ich drücke auf dein Wohlbefinden.
Im Sommer bin ich Königin, im Winter lieg' ich brach.
Man flieht vor mir ins Kühle, sucht Linderung im Bach.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have no voice, yet I make you groan.
I have no hand, yet I press upon your well-being.
In summer I am queen, in winter I lie fallow.
People flee from me into the cool, seek relief in the stream.
What am I?
Answer: Die Hitze (The Heat)
🧐 More Tidbits
Word Formation:
- The adjective related to Hitze is hitzig (e.g., eine hitzige Diskussion - a heated discussion, ein hitziges Gemüt - a hot temper).
- Compound words are common, e.g.: Hitzewelle (heatwave), Hitzefrei (school cancellation due to heat), Hitzschlag (heatstroke - medical emergency), Sommerhitze (summer heat).
Etymology: The word "Hitze" comes from the Old High German "hizza", which also meant "heat" and is related to the verb "heizen" (to heat).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hitze?
The word "Hitze" is feminine. The correct article is always die. It describes intense warmth but can also refer to fever or passion.