die
Winterpause
❄️ What exactly is die Winterpause?
Die Winterpause describes an interruption or rest period during the winter months. Most commonly, the term is used in the context of sports leagues (especially Fußball - football/soccer), when league play is suspended for several weeks or months due to weather conditions or to allow players to recuperate.
However, it can also occur in other fields, such as:
- Bauwesen (Construction): When work cannot continue due to weather conditions.
- Landwirtschaft (Agriculture): A rest period for certain agricultural activities.
- Tourismus (Tourism): When seasonal businesses like mountain huts or summer toboggan runs close.
Since the base word die Pause (the pause/break) is feminine, die Winterpause is also feminine.
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 under the microscope: Die Winterpause
The word "Winterpause" is a feminine noun. The article is die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Winterpause |
| Genitive | der | Winterpause |
| Dative | der | Winterpause |
| Accusative | die | Winterpause |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Winterpausen |
| Genitive | der | Winterpausen |
| Dative | den | Winterpausen |
| Accusative | die | Winterpausen |
Example Sentences
- Die Fußball-Bundesliga geht bald in die Winterpause.
The Football Bundesliga will soon go into the winter break. - Während der Winterpause trainieren die Spieler individuell.
During the winter break, the players train individually. - Auf der Baustelle herrscht wegen des Frosts eine unfreiwillige Winterpause.
There is an involuntary winter break on the construction site due to the frost. - Viele freuen sich auf die wohlverdiente Winterpause.
Many are looking forward to the well-deserved winter break. - Nach mehreren Winterpausen kannte er den Rhythmus genau.
After several winter breaks, he knew the rhythm exactly.
Usage in Daily Life and Sports ⚽️
Die Winterpause is a well-established term, especially in German-speaking countries, when discussing sports. People talk about the Winterpause of the Bundesliga, the handball league, etc.
- Context: Sports (football, handball, etc.), seasonal work (construction, agriculture), sometimes figuratively for a quieter period in winter.
- Typical Verbs: in die Winterpause gehen (to go into the winter break), eine Winterpause machen/einlegen (to take a winter break), die Winterpause nutzen (to use the winter break), aus der Winterpause zurückkehren (to return from the winter break).
- Differentiation: A Winterpause is specific to the season. A general interruption is simply a Pause or Saisonpause (which can also occur in summer). A Wetterpause (weather break) can occur at any time due to weather.
How to remember 'die Winterpause'
Mnemonic for the Article (die):
Think of 'die' as in 'to die down' - activities die down during die Winterpause. Or remember that die Pause (the break) is feminine, so die Winterpause is too.
Mnemonic for the Meaning:
It's literally what it says: Winter + Pause = A pause that happens in winter. Easy!
Related Terms: Similar and Opposite
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposites):
- Saisonstart / Rückrundenstart: (Start of the season / Start of the second half of the season) Beginning of the playing period after the break.
- Trainingsbeginn: (Start of training) Resumption of training.
- Sommersaison / Spielbetrieb: (Summer season / Match operations) The active phase (opposite of the break).
⚠️ Similar but different terms:
- Winterurlaub: (Winter vacation/holiday) A personal trip or holiday time in winter, not necessarily an official break in operations.
- Winterschlaf: (Hibernation) The biological state of dormancy in animals.
🤣 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den Fußballspieler: "Was machst du in der Winterpause?"
Antwortet der Spieler: "Ich versuche, meine Form zu halten. Rund ist ja auch eine Form!"
Translation:
The coach asks the football player: "What are you doing during the winter break?"
The player replies: "I'm trying to keep my shape. Round is also a shape!"
A Poem about the Winterpause
Der Ball ruht still, das Feld liegt brach,
Kein Jubel hallt, kein lautes Krach.
Der Frost malt Muster, leis' und sacht,
Die Winterpause hält nun Wacht.
Zeit zum Erholen, Kraft zu schöpfen,
Bevor die Teams aufs Neue klopfen.
Die Sehnsucht wächst, das Spiel beginnt,
Wenn bald der Frühling neu gewinnt.
Translation:
The ball rests still, the field lies fallow,
No cheers resound, no loud bellow.
The frost paints patterns, soft and slight,
The Winterpause now holds watch tight.
Time to recover, gather strength,
Before the teams return at length.
The longing grows, the game begins,
When soon the spring anew wins.
A Little Riddle about the Winterpause
Ich komme, wenn der Schnee oft fällt,
und Stille sich zum Sport gesellt.
Ich teil' die Saison, geb' Ruh und Kraft,
bis neues Spiel die Fans geschafft.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I come when snow often falls,
And silence joins the sports halls.
I split the season, give rest and might,
Until new games bring fans delight.
Who am I?
Solution: die Winterpause
Other Interesting Details
Word Composition
The word "Winterpause" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
Together, they mean a break that takes place in winter.
Trivia
The length of the Winterpause in professional football varies significantly between countries. In Germany (Deutschland), it is traditionally longer than, for example, in England, where matches are often played over Christmas and New Year (although discussions about introducing a break arise there too).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Winterpause?
The word "Winterpause" is feminine. The correct article is die: die Winterpause. It refers to an interruption during the winter months, especially in sports.