die
Vorhersage
🔮 What does "die Vorhersage" mean?
Die Vorhersage (noun, feminine) describes a statement or assessment about future events or developments. It's often based on data, observations, or models, but can also be intuitive. Essentially, it's a forecast, prediction, or prophecy.
Typical examples are the Wettervorhersage (weather forecast) or economic predictions (wirtschaftliche Vorhersagen).
🚨 Since it deals with the future, a Vorhersage isn't always accurate and might turn out to be wrong.
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 Vorhersage
The word "Vorhersage" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vorhersage | the forecast |
| Genitive | der | Vorhersage | of the forecast |
| Dative | der | Vorhersage | to/for the forecast |
| Accusative | die | Vorhersage | the forecast |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vorhersagen | the forecasts |
| Genitive | der | Vorhersagen | of the forecasts |
| Dative | den | Vorhersagen | to/for the forecasts |
| Accusative | die | Vorhersagen | the forecasts |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Vorhersage für morgen meldet Regen. (The forecast for tomorrow predicts rain.)
- Wirtschaftsexperten trauen sich kaum noch Vorhersagen zu. (Economic experts hardly dare to make predictions anymore.)
- Seine düstere Vorhersage trat glücklicherweise nicht ein. (Fortunately, his grim prediction did not come true.)
- Aufgrund der aktuellen Datenlage ist eine genaue Vorhersage schwierig. (Based on the current data, an accurate prediction is difficult.)
💬 How to use "Vorhersage"?
"Die Vorhersage" is often used in contexts where future developments are estimated:
- Weather: The Wettervorhersage is probably the most common use.
- Economy: Konjunkturvorhersagen (economic forecasts), Umsatzvorhersagen (sales forecasts).
- Science: Predictions about the course of experiments or natural phenomena (e.g., Erdbebenvorhersage - earthquake prediction, often very inaccurate).
- Sports: Predictions about game outcomes (e.g., Spielvorhersage).
- Everyday life: General statements about the future ("Meine Vorhersage ist, dass er zu spät kommt." - My prediction is that he will be late.).
Distinction from similar words:
🧠 Mnemonics for Vorhersage
Article Mnemonic: Think of a female fortune teller (die Wahrsagerin) making a prediction -> die Vorhersage. Or: She (feminine -> die) makes a prediction.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: "vorher" means before or ahead, and "sagen" means to say. So, you say something ahead of time -> a prediction/forecast.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Die Prognose: (Prognosis/forecast) Often more scientific, data-driven.
- Die Voraussage: (Prediction/forecast) Very similar, almost interchangeable.
- Die Prophezeiung: (Prophecy) More intuitive, mystical, or fateful.
- Die Erwartung: (Expectation) What one assumes or hopes will happen.
- Der Ausblick: (Outlook) A look into the future, often more general.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Der Rückblick: (Review/retrospect) Looking back at past events.
- Die Analyse (der Vergangenheit): (Analysis (of the past)) Examining what has happened.
- Die Tatsache / Der Fakt: (Fact) Something that has already happened and is confirmed.
- Die Bilanz: (Balance sheet/summary) A summary of the past (often financial).
⚠️ Similar, but different words:
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum sind Wettervorhersagen so optimistisch?
Damit die Meteorologen wenigstens einmal am Tag Sonnenschein sehen! 😄☀️
EN: Why are weather forecasts so optimistic?
So that the meteorologists get to see sunshine at least once a day! 😄☀️
📜 Poem about Prediction
DE:
Die Zukunft liegt im Nebelmeer,
Was kommt, das wissen wir nicht sehr.
Doch schaut man auf die Zeichen klar,
Wird manches bald wohl offenbar.
Die Vorhersage, kühn und schlau,
Malt Bilder, manchmal grau in grau,
Mal sonnig, wie wir's gern bestellt,
Ein Blick voraus in unsre Welt.
EN:
The future lies in seas of mist,
What comes, by us is rarely kissed (known).
But look upon the signs so clear,
And some things soon may well appear.
The forecast, bold and smart,
Paints pictures, sets the world apart,
Sometimes grey, a somber view,
Sometimes sunny, just for you,
A glimpse ahead into our sphere.
🧩 Riddle
DE:
Ich spreche von dem, was noch nicht ist,
Mal lieg' ich richtig, mal hab ich mich vermisst.
Ich nutze Daten, Wind und Sterne,
Und blicke doch nur in die Ferne.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Die Vorhersage
EN:
I speak of that which is not yet,
Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I get it wrong, you bet.
I use data, wind, and stars,
And yet I only gaze afar.
What am I?
Solution: Die Vorhersage (The forecast/prediction)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Vorhersage" is composed of:
- vorher: Adverb meaning 'before' or 'ahead'.
- sagen: Verb meaning 'to say' or 'to tell'.
So, literally: To say something ahead of time.
Trivia: The accuracy of Vorhersagen is a constant topic, especially for complex systems like weather or the economy. Probabilities are often given to account for the inherent uncertainty.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vorhersage?
The German word Vorhersage is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die: die Vorhersage (singular), die Vorhersagen (plural).