die
Hitzewelle
☀️ What exactly is a Hitzewelle?
Die Hitzewelle translates to heatwave in English. It describes a period of unusually hot weather, often lasting for several days or even weeks. The temperatures are significantly above the average values for the respective season and region.
The article is always die (the, feminine), because the base word "Welle" (wave) is feminine (die Welle). There are no other articles for this word.
A Hitzewelle can have significant impacts on humans, animals, and the environment, ranging from health problems to droughts and increased risk of wildfires. 🌡️💧
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: Die Hitzewelle in Detail
The noun "Hitzewelle" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | English Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die | Hitzewelle | Nominative (Subject) |
| Genitiv | der | Hitzewelle | Genitive (Possessive) |
| Dativ | der | Hitzewelle | Dative (Indirect Object) |
| Akkusativ | die | Hitzewelle | Accusative (Direct Object) |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun | English Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | die | Hitzewellen | Nominative (Subject) |
| Genitiv | der | Hitzewellen | Genitive (Possessive) |
| Dativ | den | Hitzewellen | Dative (Indirect Object) |
| Akkusativ | die | Hitzewellen | Accusative (Direct Object) |
Example Sentences
- Die aktuelle Hitzewelle macht vielen Menschen zu schaffen.
(The current heatwave is causing problems for many people.) - Während der Hitzewelle sollte man viel trinken.
(During the heatwave, one should drink a lot.) - Die Behörden warnten vor der Hitzewelle.
(The authorities warned about the heatwave.) - Wir erwarten für nächste Woche eine neue Hitzewelle.
(We expect a new heatwave next week.) - In den letzten Jahren gab es immer häufiger Hitzewellen.
(In recent years, there have been increasingly frequent heatwaves.)
🗣️ How to use Hitzewelle?
"Hitzewelle" is primarily used in the context of weather reports (Wetterberichte), climate discussions (Klimadiskussionen), and health warnings (Gesundheitswarnungen).
- Weather Forecast: "Für das Wochenende wird eine extreme Hitzewelle erwartet." ("An extreme heatwave is expected for the weekend.")
- News: "Die anhaltende Hitzewelle führt zu Wasserknappheit in der Region." ("The ongoing heatwave is leading to water shortages in the region.")
- Health: "Besonders ältere Menschen und Kinder leiden unter der Hitzewelle." ("Elderly people and children especially suffer during the heatwave.")
- Everyday life: "Puh, diese Hitzewelle ist kaum auszuhalten!" ("Phew, this heatwave is almost unbearable!")
It's a common and well-understood term. Sometimes people might say Hitzeperiode (heat period), which is similar but might sound less intense than a 'wave'.
Typical compound nouns include: Hitzewellenwarnung (heatwave warning), Hitzewellentage (heatwave days).
🧠 Mnemonics for Hitzewelle
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Welle 🌊 (the wave) in the ocean – waves are feminine in German. A wave of heat (Hitze) is therefore also feminine: die Hitzewelle.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a huge, invisible wave (Welle) rolling across the land, but instead of water, it's made of pure Hitze (heat). That's the Hitzewelle!
🔁 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Hitzeperiode: Heat period (often used synonymously).
- Gluthitze: Scorching heat (describes intensity rather than duration).
- Affenschwüle / Affenhitze: Colloquial for extreme, often muggy heat (literally 'monkey mugginess' / 'monkey heat').
- Hundstage: Dog days (traditional term for the hottest time of the year in summer).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Kältewelle: Cold wave / cold snap.
- Frostperiode: Frost period (period with temperatures below freezing).
- Kälteeinbruch: Sudden drop in temperature / cold spell.
- Wintereinbruch: Sudden onset of winter.
⚠️ Caution: The German phrase "heiße Phase" (hot phase) usually refers to a critical or intense period in a project or discussion, not literally hot weather.
😂 A Little Heat Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette keine Sonnenbäder während einer Hitzewelle?
Weil sie keine Haut im Spiel haben! 😉🦴
(Why don't skeletons sunbathe during a heatwave?)
(Because they have no skin in the game!)
📜 Poem about the Hitzewelle
Die Sonne brennt, kein Windhauch weht,
Die Luft steht still, es ist schon spät.
Die Stadt erstickt in heißem Dunst,
Natur und Mensch nach Kühlung lechzt, umsonst?
Die Hitzewelle rollt heran,
Zeigt schonungslos, was Hitze kann.
Der Asphalt glüht, der Schweiß, er rinnt,
Ein kühler Schatten wär' Gewinn.
(The sun burns, no breeze blows,
The air stands still, it's late, you know.
The city chokes in hot haze deep,
Nature and man for coolness weep, in vain?)
(The heatwave rolls on near,
Shows mercilessly what heat can bear.
The asphalt glows, the sweat does stream,
A cool shade would be a welcome dream.)
🤔 Riddle Time
Ich komme ohne Wasser, doch bin eine Welle.
Ich bringe den Schweiß und mache das Atmen zur Hölle.
Im Sommer bin ich oft ein ungebet'ner Gast,
Der Mensch und Tier und Pflanze stark belast'.
Was bin ich?
(I come without water, yet I am a wave.
I bring the sweat and make breathing a hellish pave.
In summer, I'm often an uninvited guest,
Putting humans, animals, and plants to a severe test.)
(What am I?)
(Solution: die Hitzewelle / the heatwave)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Hitzewelle" is a compound noun, formed from:
Climate Change: The term Hitzewelle is becoming increasingly relevant due to climate change (Klimawandel), as such extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hitzewelle?
The word "Hitzewelle" is always feminine. The correct article is die Hitzewelle (plural: die Hitzewellen).
