How do you say Rain in German?

rain in German

Today’s word is something every German learner hears in small talk: Regen - the German word for rain. Whether you’re talking about the weather, packing for a trip, or complaining about a gray day, Regen is part of the everyday German experience (especially if you’re in Hamburg). It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, too!

Regen is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der - der Regen. Still wondering how to get German gender right without memorizing every noun? Our quick and incredibly helpful 5-minute video lesson shows you how to master der / die / das with confidence.

Real conversations where Regen might come up

You’ll hear Regen in weather forecasts, travel plans, and polite chitchat. Germans love to comment on the weather - often because it’s gray and wet.

- Heute kommt Regen.- Schon wieder? Ich hab die Nase voll.(“Rain’s coming today.” - “Again? I’m sick of it.”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Lisa: Hast du einen Schirm?Timo: Nein, wieso?Lisa: Es gibt gleich Regen!Timo: Mist! Dann werde ich nass.

(Lisa: Do you have an umbrella?Timo: No, why?Lisa: It’s about to rain!Timo: Damn! Then I’ll get wet.)

Grammar in action: How to use Regen

  • Nominative: Der Regen hört nicht auf.(The rain won’t stop.)

  • Accusative: Ich hasse den Regen.(I hate the rain.)

  • Dative: Bei dem Regen gehen wir trotzdem spazieren.(We’re going for a walk despite this rain.)

  • Genitive: Das Geräusch des Regens beruhigt mich.(The sound of the rain calms me.)

Not sure how the cases work? Our German grammar course breaks it down clearly - no charts, no stress, just useful explanations in plain English.

Other ways to talk about Regen in German

The word Regen is used in many everyday combinations and expressions:

  • Regenschirm - umbrella

  • Regenjacke - rain jacket

  • Regenwetter - rainy weather

  • Regenbogen - rainbow

  • Nieselregen - drizzle

  • Platzregen - downpour

  • Regentropfen - raindrop

  • Regenzeit - rainy season

Common expressions:

  • im Regen stehen lassen - to leave someone hanging

  • wie aus Eimern regnen - to rain buckets

  • Auf Regen folgt Sonnenschein. - After rain comes sunshine (used both literally and figuratively)

Word variations and tidbits

Regen is one of those German words that’s often part of compound nouns. It’s also used as a verb: regnen (to rain).

Examples:

  • Heute regnet es. - It’s raining today.

  • Es hat die ganze Nacht geregnet. - It rained all night.

  • Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. - If it rains, I stay home.

And if you’re ever stuck in Germany with soggy shoes, at least you’ll have the right word for it.

Duden entry:https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Regen

Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Recht means?What about Regisseur? One gives you what you deserve… the other gives you the scene.

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