die  Kälte

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkɛltə/

🌡️ What does "die Kälte" mean?

Die Kälte is a feminine noun referring to two main concepts:

1. Low temperature: The state of low heat, often related to weather or the temperature of an object. It describes the opposite of warmth (Wärme) or heat (Hitze). Example: Die Kälte des Winters (The cold of winter).
2. Emotional distance: A lack of warmth, friendliness, or compassion in interpersonal interactions. Example: Die Kälte in seiner Stimme erschreckte sie (The coldness in his voice frightened her).

⚠️ There are no other articles for "Kälte". It is always die Kälte.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Die Kälte

"Die Kälte" is a feminine noun. It is primarily used in the singular. A plural form ("die Kälten") formally exists but is very uncommon and typically used only in specific scientific or literary contexts to describe different types or periods of cold.

Declension (Singular)

💡 Example Sentences

1. Im Winter spürt man oft die Kälte.
   (In winter, one often feels the cold.)
2. Sie ertrug die Kälte in der Beziehung nicht länger.
   (She couldn't bear the coldness in the relationship any longer.)
3. Wegen der Kälte blieben wir zu Hause.
   (Because of the cold, we stayed home.)
4. Er trotzte der Kälte und ging spazieren.
   (He braved the cold and went for a walk.)

💬 How to use "Kälte"?

"Die Kälte" is used in various contexts:

• Weather & Climate: Most commonly used to talk about die Kälte in winter, at night, or in cold regions. "Die plötzliche Kälte überraschte uns." (The sudden cold surprised us.)
• Physical Sensation: You can feel Kälte, e.g., in your hands and feet or when you are ill. "Eine unangenehme Kälte durchfuhr ihn." (An unpleasant coldness ran through him.)
• Emotions & Relationships: Describes emotional distance, unfriendliness, or lack of feeling. "Zwischen ihnen herrschte eine eisige Kälte." (There was an icy coldness between them.)
• Figurative Meanings: Sometimes used more abstractly, e.g., "die Kälte des Krieges" (the coldness of war).

Compared to "die Kühle" (coolness), "die Kälte" usually describes a lower, often more unpleasant temperature or greater emotional distance.

🧠 Mnemonics for Kälte

For the article: Many abstract German nouns ending in "-e" that describe a state (like die Wärme - warmth, die Höhe - height) are feminine (die). Think: "She feels the cold - die Kälte".

For the meaning: Imagine someone shivering violently, teeth chattering, trying to say "cold" but it comes out like "K-k-k-Kälte!". The sound mimics the feeling.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

⚠️ Similar but different words

• kalt (adjective): Describes something having a low temperature or someone being emotionally distant (e.g., "Das Wasser ist kalt." - The water is cold., "Er ist ein kalter Mensch." - He is a cold person.). Die Kälte is the corresponding noun.

😂 A frosty joke

German: Fragt der eine Schneemann den anderen: "Komisch, ich rieche irgendwie Karotten..."

English: One snowman asks the other: "Funny, I smell carrots somehow..."

📜 Poem about the Cold

German:
Die Kälte schleicht durch Land und Haus,
macht Atem sichtbar, weiß und kraus.
Sie malt auf Fenster Eis und Zier,
lässt Herzen sehnen sich nach hier,
wo Wärme wohnt und Feuer glimmt,
und Freundlichkeit die Seele stimmt.

English Translation:
The cold creeps through land and house,
makes breath visible, white and curled.
It paints on windows ice and ornament,
makes hearts yearn for this place,
where warmth resides and fire glows,
and kindness tunes the soul.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch mein Biss tut weh.
Ich male Blumen ans Fenster, ganz ohne Müh'.
Ich lasse dich zittern, ziehst du dich nicht warm an.
Im Winter bin ich Königin im ganzen Land.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I have no voice, yet my bite hurts.
I paint flowers on the window, effortlessly.
I make you shiver if you don't dress warmly.
In winter, I am queen throughout the land.

Who am I?
(Solution: die Kälte / the cold)

➕ Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Kälte" derives from the Old High German "kalti", which is related to the adjective "kalt" (cold).
• Compound Words: "Kälte" forms part of many compound words, e.g., Kälteeinbruch (cold snap), Kältewelle (cold wave), Kältetechnik (refrigeration technology), Gefühlskälte (emotional coldness), Kälteschutz (protection against cold).
• Idiom: "Jemanden die kalte Schulter zeigen" (to give someone the cold shoulder) means to deliberately ignore or be unfriendly to someone, alluding to the emotional meaning of coldness.