der Februar in 30 Seconds
- Der Februar: The second, shortest month.
- Typically 28 days; 29 in a leap year.
- Follows January, precedes March.
- Often associated with winter in Germany.
- Meaning
- Der Februar is the second month of the Gregorian calendar, falling between January and March. It is known for being the shortest month, typically having 28 days, with an extra day in a leap year (29 days). In many parts of the world, February is associated with winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a month often marked by holidays such as Valentine's Day.
- Usage
- Germans refer to 'der Februar' when discussing dates, planning events, talking about the weather, or making general references to the time of year. For instance, they might say their birthday is in February, or that they are planning a vacation for February. It's a common noun used in everyday conversation, news reports, and written texts related to time and seasons.
Der Winter dauert oft bis in den Februar.
Mein Geburtstag ist im Februar.
- Calendar Context
- The Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used civil calendar today, was introduced in 1582. The naming of the months has ancient roots, with February (Februarius in Latin) being named after the Roman festival of purification, Februa, which was held in the middle of the month. This historical context explains the origin of the name, but in modern German usage, it simply refers to the month itself.
- Seasonal Associations
- In Germany, February is typically a cold month. Snow is common, and temperatures often remain below freezing. It's part of the late winter season. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, however, February is a summer month. This contrast is important when discussing travel plans or international events. For example, when a German speaker mentions planning a trip to Australia in February, they would be referring to summer there.
- Holidays and Events
- While not as holiday-heavy as December or January, February does host significant events. Valentine's Day (der Valentinstag) on February 14th is widely celebrated. In some years, Carnival (der Karneval or Fasching) can extend into February, particularly in regions like the Rhineland. These events are often referenced when discussing plans for the month.
- Basic Sentence Structure
- The most common way to use 'der Februar' is in temporal phrases, often with prepositions like 'im' (in the) or 'im Laufe des' (in the course of the). For example, 'Im Februar ist es oft kalt.' (In February, it is often cold.) This structure is fundamental for expressing when something happens.
- Referring to specific dates
- When talking about specific events within February, you might say something like: 'Wir feiern den Valentinstag im Februar.' (We celebrate Valentine's Day in February.) Or, 'Die Konferenz findet im Februar statt.' (The conference takes place in February.) This shows how the month is integrated into event planning and announcements.
- Comparing with other months
- 'Der Februar' is also used when comparing the length or characteristics of months. For instance: 'Der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat des Jahres.' (February is the shortest month of the year.) Or, 'Nach dem kalten Januar kommt der Februar.' (After the cold January comes February.) This highlights its position within the annual cycle.
- Expressing duration
- You can also use it to express actions that occur over the entire month: 'Wir arbeiten den ganzen Februar an diesem Projekt.' (We are working on this project the entire February.) This indicates an ongoing activity throughout the month.
Wir reisen im Februar nach Spanien.
Der Februar hat nur 28 Tage.
- Using possessive structures
- While less common for months themselves, you might hear phrases like 'das Wetter des Februars' (the weather of February), though 'das Februarwetter' (February weather) is more idiomatic. The genitive case is rarely used directly with month names in everyday speech.
- In questions
- Questions often revolve around timing: 'Wann hast du Geburtstag?' - 'Im Februar.' (When is your birthday? - In February.) Or, 'Wann beginnt der Frühling?' - 'Nicht im Februar.' (When does spring begin? - Not in February.)
- Everyday Conversations
- You'll hear 'der Februar' frequently in casual conversations among German speakers. People discuss their plans, birthdays, holidays, and the weather, all of which often involve referencing the current or upcoming month. For example, a common exchange might be: 'Was machst du im Februar?' (What are you doing in February?) 'Ich fahre Ski.' (I'm going skiing.)
- News and Media
- News reports, weather forecasts, and articles often mention 'der Februar' in relation to seasonal events, economic data, or upcoming political happenings. For instance, a weather report might state: 'Im Februar erwarten wir weiterhin kalte Temperaturen.' (In February, we continue to expect cold temperatures.)
- Calendars and Planners
- Obviously, 'der Februar' is a prominent word on any German calendar, schedule, or diary. When you look at a calendar page for February, the word is right there. This is a constant visual reinforcement of the term.
- Travel and Tourism
- When discussing travel plans, people will often specify the month. 'Wir möchten im Februar nach Berlin reisen.' (We would like to travel to Berlin in February.) This is common in booking confirmations, travel brochures, and conversations about vacation timing.
- Educational Settings
- In German language classes or in schools, 'der Februar' is used when teaching days of the week, months, seasons, and dates. Students learn to identify it and use it in sentences as part of basic vocabulary acquisition.
Die Nachrichten berichteten über das Wetter im Februar.
Bitte planen Sie die Veranstaltung für den 14. Februar.
- Incorrect Article Usage
- A common mistake for learners is using the wrong article or no article at all when referring to months. Remember that all months in German are masculine and take the definite article 'der'. When used with the preposition 'in' to indicate 'in February', it contracts to 'im'. So, 'im Februar' is correct, not 'in Februar' or 'der Februar' without 'im' in this context.
- Confusing with Pluralization
- Learners might incorrectly try to pluralize month names when referring to multiple instances or a general period. For example, saying 'die Februare' is incorrect. If you want to refer to the Februaries of different years, you would typically use phrases like 'in den Februaren der letzten Jahre' (in the Februaries of the past years) or more commonly, 'in den letzten Jahren im Februar' (in recent years in February).
- Misplacing the Month in a Sentence
- German sentence structure can be tricky. Learners might put 'der Februar' in positions where it sounds unnatural. For instance, placing it at the very end of a sentence when it should be at the beginning or after the verb for emphasis. The standard position for temporal adverbs like 'im Februar' is often at the beginning of the sentence (followed by the verb) or after the verb. Example: 'Im Februar ist es kalt.' or 'Es ist im Februar kalt.'
- Using Prepositions Incorrectly
- While 'im' (in + dem) is the standard preposition for months, learners might mistakenly use other prepositions like 'an' or 'auf'. For example, saying 'an Februar' or 'auf Februar' is incorrect. 'Im Februar' is the correct and idiomatic way to say 'in February'.
Falsch: Ich habe im Februar Geburtstag. Richtig: Ich habe im Februar Geburtstag.
Falsch: Wir treffen uns in Februar. Richtig: Wir treffen uns im Februar.
- Other Months
- The most direct alternatives are other months of the year, such as 'der Januar' (January), 'der März' (March), 'der April' (April), etc. These are used in the same grammatical structures when referring to those specific periods. For example, 'Der Januar ist kälter als der Februar.' (January is colder than February.)
- 'Monat' (Month)
- 'Der Monat' is the general word for 'month'. You can use it when you don't need to specify which month. For example, 'Ein Monat hat normalerweise 30 oder 31 Tage.' (A month normally has 30 or 31 days.) When referring to February specifically, you would say 'Der Februar ist ein kurzer Monat.' (February is a short month.)
- 'Jahreszeit' (Season)
- 'Die Jahreszeit' refers to a season. February falls within 'der Winter' (winter) in Germany. So, instead of saying 'Im Februar ist es kalt', one might say 'Im Winter ist es kalt'. However, 'der Februar' is more precise when referring to the specific month.
- 'Frühling' (Spring), 'Sommer' (Summer), 'Herbst' (Autumn/Fall)
- These are the names of the other seasons. February is at the tail end of winter, and the transition to spring ('der Frühling') begins towards the end of the month in some years. You might hear: 'Der Winter endet im Februar.' (Winter ends in February.)
- 'Jahresende' (End of the year), 'Jahresanfang' (Beginning of the year)
- These terms refer to periods around the turn of the year. February is firmly in the 'Jahresanfang' period, following 'das Jahresende' (December).
Der Februar ist der zweite Monat.
Im Winter ist es oft kalt.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
February was originally the last month of the Roman calendar. It was moved to be the second month when January was established as the first. It's also the only month that doesn't have 30 days, a peculiarity stemming from ancient Roman calendar adjustments.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly or too weakly.
- Incorrect vowel sounds, especially for 'e' and 'u'.
- Not stressing the first syllable.
Difficulty Rating
As a basic noun for a month, 'der Februar' is encountered early in reading materials. Its meaning is straightforward, and context usually makes its usage clear. Advanced texts might use it in more complex temporal or comparative structures.
Writing 'der Februar' correctly involves remembering its gender (masculine) and the common prepositional phrase 'im Februar'. This is a fundamental skill for basic sentence construction related to time.
Pronouncing 'der Februar' and using it in simple phrases like 'im Februar' is essential for basic communication about dates and seasons. The pronunciation is generally manageable for learners.
Recognizing 'der Februar' when spoken is crucial for understanding temporal references in German conversations and media. Its frequency ensures early exposure.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Prepositional phrases with months (im + month)
Im Januar, im Februar, im März.
Articles for months (masculine noun)
Der Januar, der Februar, der März.
Temporal adverbs in sentence structure
Im Februar ist es kalt. / Es ist im Februar kalt.
Superlative adjectives with months
Der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat.
Genitive case with months (less common)
Das Wetter des Februars (more commonly: das Februarwetter).
Examples by Level
Hallo.
Hello.
Danke.
Thank you.
Bitte.
Please / You're welcome.
Ja.
Yes.
Nein.
No.
Ich heiße Anna.
My name is Anna.
Wo ist die Toilette?
Where is the toilet?
Entschuldigung.
Excuse me / Sorry.
Der Januar ist kalt.
January is cold.
Months are masculine ('der') and take 'im' for 'in the month'.
Der Februar hat 28 Tage.
February has 28 days.
Using the verb 'haben' (to have) with a month.
Im März beginnt der Frühling.
In March, spring begins.
Using 'im' + month for temporal context.
Der April macht was er will.
April does what it wants.
A common German proverb about April's changeable weather.
Im Mai ist es warm.
In May it is warm.
Using 'im' + month for temporal context.
Der Juni ist der erste Sommermonat.
June is the first summer month.
Describing a month's characteristic.
Im Juli gehen wir schwimmen.
In July we go swimming.
Using 'im' + month for future plans.
Der August ist oft heiß.
August is often hot.
Describing a month's typical weather.
Der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat im Jahr.
February is the shortest month of the year.
Using the superlative adjective 'kürzeste'.
Wir planen unseren Urlaub für den Februar.
We are planning our vacation for February.
Using the accusative case with 'für' to indicate a future time.
Der Valentinstag ist Mitte Februar.
Valentine's Day is in mid-February.
Using 'Mitte' (middle) with the month.
Obwohl der Februar kurz ist, kann er sehr kalt sein.
Although February is short, it can be very cold.
Using 'obwohl' (although) and modal verbs.
Das Karnevalsfest beginnt oft im Februar.
The Carnival festival often begins in February.
Using 'oft' (often) with the month.
Die Tage werden im späten Februar schon länger.
The days are already getting longer in late February.
Using adjectives like 'spät' (late) with the month.
Nach dem kalten Januar folgt der Februar.
After the cold January, February follows.
Using prepositions like 'nach' (after).
Manche Leute mögen den Februar wegen des Schnees.
Some people like February because of the snow.
Using 'wegen' (because of) with the genitive case (though accusative is also common colloquially).
Der Februar dieses Jahres war ungewöhnlich warm.
This year's February was unusually warm.
Using possessive adjectives like 'dieses' (this) with the month.
Erinnerst du dich an den Februar letztes Jahr, als es so viel geschneit hat?
Do you remember February last year when it snowed so much?
Using 'letztes Jahr' (last year) and relative clauses.
Die Verkaufszahlen steigen traditionell im Februar leicht an.
Sales figures traditionally rise slightly in February.
Using adverbs like 'traditionell' (traditionally) and 'leicht' (slightly).
Obwohl der Februar kurz ist, kann er wettertechnisch sehr unberechenbar sein.
Although February is short, it can be meteorologically very unpredictable.
Using adverbial phrases like 'wettertechnisch' (meteorologically).
Die Vorbereitungen für das Frühlingsfest beginnen bereits im Februar.
Preparations for the spring festival already begin in February.
Using 'bereits' (already) and complex sentence structures.
Im Februar des kommenden Jahres werden wir eine neue Marketingkampagne starten.
In February of next year, we will launch a new marketing campaign.
Using genitive 'des kommenden Jahres' (of the coming year).
Die Entscheidung wurde auf den Februar verschoben.
The decision was postponed to February.
Using passive voice and prepositions indicating postponement.
Er hat eine Vorliebe für die ruhigen Wintermonate, einschließlich des Februars.
He has a preference for the quiet winter months, including February.
Using 'einschließlich' (including) and genitive case.
Die historischen Aufzeichnungen deuten darauf hin, dass der Februar in dieser Region seit Jahrhunderten von extremen Wetterereignissen geprägt ist.
Historical records indicate that February in this region has been characterized by extreme weather events for centuries.
Complex sentence structure with subordinate clauses and advanced vocabulary.
Angesichts der prognostizierten Kältewelle wird der Februar voraussichtlich einer der kältesten seit Beginn der Aufzeichnungen werden.
Given the predicted cold wave, February is expected to be one of the coldest since records began.
Using participial phrases and future tense with modal verbs.
Die Umstellung auf erneuerbare Energien im Februar 2025 soll die CO2-Emissionen signifikant reduzieren.
The transition to renewable energies in February 2025 is intended to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Using nominalizations and passive voice with specific future dates.
Trotz der Kürze des Monats bietet der Februar vielfältige Möglichkeiten für Outdoor-Aktivitäten, sofern das Wetter mitspielt.
Despite the month's brevity, February offers diverse opportunities for outdoor activities, provided the weather cooperates.
Using concessive clauses ('trotz') and conditional clauses ('sofern').
Die ökonomische Erholung, die im Februar des Vorjahres begann, hat sich als widerstandsfähiger erwiesen als erwartet.
The economic recovery, which began in February of the previous year, has proven more resilient than expected.
Using relative clauses and comparative adjectives.
Die Planungen für die Olympischen Winterspiele, die im Februar 2026 stattfinden, laufen auf Hochtouren.
The preparations for the Winter Olympics, which take place in February 2026, are in full swing.
Using relative clauses and idiomatic expressions.
Der wissenschaftliche Durchbruch, der im Februar dieses Jahres erzielt wurde, verspricht revolutionäre Anwendungen in der Medizin.
The scientific breakthrough achieved in February of this year promises revolutionary applications in medicine.
Using past participles as adjectives and complex sentence structure.
Die kulturellen Veranstaltungen im Februar zielen darauf ab, die Vielfalt der lokalen Traditionen hervorzuheben.
The cultural events in February aim to highlight the diversity of local traditions.
Using verbs like 'zielen darauf ab' (aim to) and abstract nouns.
Die saisonalen Schwankungen im Februar, bedingt durch die endgültige Verabschiedung des Winters und den zaghaften Beginn des Frühlings, stellen eine besondere Herausforderung für die Landwirtschaft dar.
The seasonal fluctuations in February, caused by the final farewell of winter and the tentative start of spring, pose a particular challenge for agriculture.
Complex nominalizations, participial phrases, and advanced vocabulary.
Die bis dato unerklärlichen Phänomene, die sich im Februar des vergangenen Jahrhunderts ereigneten, geben bis heute Anlass zu wissenschaftlichen Debatten.
The hitherto unexplained phenomena that occurred in February of the last century still give cause for scientific debate today.
Archaic or highly formal vocabulary, complex subordinate clauses.
Die Implementierung der neuen Verordnungen, deren Inkrafttreten für den Februar angesetzt war, verzögert sich aufgrund unvorhergesehener bürokratischer Hürden.
The implementation of the new regulations, which were scheduled to take effect in February, is being delayed due to unforeseen bureaucratic hurdles.
Formal legal/administrative language, complex sentence structure.
Die metaphorische Deutung des Februars als 'Brückenmonat' zwischen dem Ausklang des Winters und der Erwartung des Frühlings spiegelt die ambivalente Stimmung dieser Übergangszeit wider.
The metaphorical interpretation of February as a 'bridge month' between the waning of winter and the anticipation of spring reflects the ambivalent mood of this transitional period.
Abstract concepts, metaphorical language, sophisticated sentence construction.
Die historische Kontinuität der Winterkälte im Februar erweist sich als signifikantester Faktor für die Aufrechterhaltung traditioneller Winterspiele in einigen alpinen Regionen.
The historical continuity of winter cold in February proves to be the most significant factor for the maintenance of traditional winter sports in some alpine regions.
Formal academic language, complex noun phrases.
Es ist bemerkenswert, wie der Februar, trotz seiner Komprimierung auf 28 Tage, eine Fülle von kulturellen und sozialen Ereignissen beherbergen kann.
It is remarkable how February, despite its compression to 28 days, can host a wealth of cultural and social events.
Sophisticated vocabulary ('Komprimierung', 'Fülle', 'beherbergen') and sentence structure.
Die meteorologischen Anomalien des Februars dieses Jahres werfen Fragen hinsichtlich der langfristigen Klimaprognosen auf.
This year's February meteorological anomalies raise questions regarding long-term climate forecasts.
Specialized vocabulary ('Anomalien', 'Prognosen') and formal phrasing.
Die Interpretation des Februars als Symbol für Neubeginn und Erneuerung, obwohl er noch tief im Winter liegt, ist ein wiederkehrendes Motiv in der deutschsprachigen Lyrik.
The interpretation of February as a symbol for new beginnings and renewal, although it still lies deep in winter, is a recurring motif in German-language poetry.
Literary analysis, complex subordinate clauses, abstract symbolism.
Synonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— It is cold in February.
Generell ist der Februar ein kalter Monat in Deutschland.
— My birthday is in February.
Ich feiere meinen Geburtstag gerne im Februar.
— February only has 28 days.
Eine lustige Tatsache: Der Februar hat nur 28 Tage (meistens).
— We are going on vacation in February.
Wir fahren im Februar in den Skiurlaub.
— It's already getting lighter at the end of February.
Man merkt, dass Ende Februar die Tage länger werden.
— It often snows at the beginning of February.
Anfang Februar ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit für Schnee sehr hoch.
— February is the shortest month.
Es stimmt, der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat des Jahres.
— Valentine's Day is in February.
Im Februar ist Valentinstag, also ein guter Tag für Blumen.
— The weather in February is changeable.
Das Wetter im Februar kann von Sonnenschein bis Schneesturm alles sein.
— We have February holidays.
Die Kinder freuen sich, weil sie bald Februarferien haben.
Often Confused With
January is the month preceding February. While both are winter months, January is typically longer and colder.
March is the month following February. It marks the beginning of spring in Germany, so it's generally warmer and less associated with heavy snow than February.
'Der Monat' is the general word for 'month'. 'Der Februar' is a specific month, while 'der Monat' refers to any month or the concept of a month.
Idioms & Expressions
— This is a colloquial saying implying that February, despite being short, can still bring harsh winter weather that ruins plans or spoils the end of winter.
Wir wollten schon im Januar mit dem Frühling anfangen, aber der Februar macht alles kaputt.
— This idiom describes a February that is cold, harsh, and perhaps a bit grumpy, reminiscent of an old man's demeanor.
Dieser Februar ist wie ein alter Mann: kalt und griesgrämig.
— A descriptive idiom comparing February to January, implying it's similar in its coldness but shorter and perhaps less severe.
Der Januar war schon hart, aber der Februar ist der kleine Bruder vom Januar.
— This idiom suggests that even though it's still winter, February brings the first signs of hope for spring and warmer days.
Obwohl es noch kalt ist, blüht im Februar die Hoffnung auf den Frühling.
— This phrase highlights that February is short but can still experience intense winter weather.
Manchmal ist der Februar kurz, aber heftig, mit viel Schnee und Eis.
Easily Confused
Learners might confuse the gender or the correct prepositional phrase.
Der Februar is the second month. It is masculine ('der'). When used with 'in', it forms the contraction 'im' (in dem). So, 'im Februar' means 'in February'.
Ich habe im Februar Geburtstag. (I have birthday in February.)
Mistaking the length of the month.
Der Februar is famously the shortest month, usually having 28 days. Other months have 30 or 31 days.
Der Februar hat nur 28 Tage, während der März 31 Tage hat.
Confusing it with the season 'winter'.
Der Februar is a specific month within the season of winter. 'Der Winter' refers to the entire season, which typically spans from December to February or March.
Im Februar ist es oft noch kalt (Winter). / Der Februar ist der letzte Wintermonat.
Incorrectly using plural forms.
Der Februar does not have a common plural form in everyday German. If referring to multiple Februaries, one would typically use phrases like 'die Februare der letzten Jahre' or simply rephrase.
Falsch: die Februare. Richtig: im Februar (generell) oder die Februarmonate.
Using incorrect prepositions.
The correct preposition to use with months for 'in' is 'im' (in + dem). Phrases like 'an Februar' or 'auf Februar' are incorrect.
Richtig: Wir treffen uns im Februar. Falsch: Wir treffen uns an Februar.
Sentence Patterns
Im [Monat] ist es [Wetter].
Im Februar ist es kalt.
Mein Geburtstag ist im [Monat].
Mein Geburtstag ist im Februar.
Der [Monat] hat X Tage.
Der Februar hat 28 Tage.
Wir machen [Aktivität] im [Monat].
Wir machen Urlaub im Februar.
Anfang/Mitte/Ende [Monat]...
Ende Februar wird es heller.
Der [Monat] ist der [Adjektiv]ste Monat.
Der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat.
Obwohl der [Monat] kurz ist, ...
Obwohl der Februar kurz ist, kann er sehr kalt sein.
Die Ereignisse im [Monat] dieses Jahres...
Die Ereignisse im Februar dieses Jahres waren bemerkenswert.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
-
Using 'in Februar' instead of 'im Februar'.
→
Im Februar.
The correct way to say 'in February' is 'im Februar'. This is a contraction of 'in dem Februar'. 'In Februar' is grammatically incorrect.
-
Using the wrong gender article, e.g., 'die Februar'.
→
Der Februar.
All months in German are masculine nouns. Therefore, the correct definite article is 'der'.
-
Pluralizing 'Februar' incorrectly.
→
Im Februar (general) or 'die Februare der letzten Jahre' (rare).
There is no standard plural form for month names in everyday German. Avoid saying 'die Februare' unless in a very specific, formal context.
-
Confusing February with March or January.
→
Der Februar.
Remember February is the second month, typically cold and short, falling between January and March. January is usually colder and longer, while March signifies the start of spring.
-
Forgetting the length of February.
→
Der Februar hat 28 Tage (or 29 in a leap year).
February is uniquely the shortest month. Remembering this helps distinguish it from months with 30 or 31 days.
Tips
Masculine Gender and 'im'
Always remember that 'der Februar' is masculine. When you want to say 'in February', you must use the contracted form 'im' (in + dem). So, it's always 'im Februar', never 'in Februar'.
Stress the First Syllable
The main stress in 'Februar' falls on the first syllable: FE-bru-ar. Practice saying it clearly to be understood easily.
Shortest Month Association
February's most distinctive feature is its length. Associate 'der Februar' with 'short' or '28 days' to help remember it and its unique characteristic.
Winter in Germany
In Germany, February is a core winter month. Think of cold, snow, and potentially shorter daylight hours when using 'der Februar' in context.
Valentine's Day Connection
The 14th of February is Valentine's Day (Valentinstag). This is a strong cultural association that can help you remember the month and its significance.
Mnemonic Device
Create a visual or auditory mnemonic. For example, imagine a FROG (FE-BRU-AR) shivering in the cold, waiting for spring.
Temporal Phrases
Learn common phrases like 'Anfang Februar' (beginning of February), 'Mitte Februar' (mid-February), and 'Ende Februar' (end of February) for more precise time references.
February vs. Other Months
Understand how February differs from its neighbors, January (usually colder, longer) and March (start of spring, warmer). This comparative context aids recall.
Sentence Building
Actively use 'der Februar' in sentences. Try writing or saying sentences about weather, plans, or dates involving this month.
Carnival Connection
In some parts of Germany, Carnival (Fasching) celebrations can fall in February. This adds another layer of cultural context to the month.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a FROG (FE-BRU-AR) wearing a tiny calendar around its neck, showing only 28 little squares. The frog is shivering because it's still winter!
Visual Association
Picture a calendar page for February. It's small, with only 28 numbers. Outside the window, snow is falling heavily, and a heart symbol (for Valentine's Day) is drawn on the 14th.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say 'Der Februar' five times fast, then write it down three times. Next, try to recall three things that happen in February.
Word Origin
The name 'Februar' originates from Latin 'Februarius', which was named after the Roman festival of purification called 'Februa'. This festival took place in the middle of the month.
Original meaning: Month of purification.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance languages (influencing German)Cultural Context
February is generally a neutral month, but discussions about its cold weather might be sensitive for those who dislike winter. The brevity of the month is usually a point of lighthearted comment rather than a negative aspect.
In English-speaking countries, February is also the second month and is known for Valentine's Day and its short duration. The weather associations might differ, with some regions experiencing milder winters.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Talking about the weather
- Im Februar ist es kalt.
- Das Februarwetter ist oft wechselhaft.
- Es schneit im Februar.
Discussing birthdays and holidays
- Mein Geburtstag ist im Februar.
- Im Februar ist Valentinstag.
- Wir feiern Fasching im Februar.
Planning events or travel
- Wir fahren im Februar in den Urlaub.
- Die Konferenz findet im Februar statt.
- Ich habe für Februar gebucht.
Referring to the calendar and time
- Der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat.
- Ende Februar werden die Tage länger.
- Das ist im Februar passiert.
Describing seasonal changes
- Der Winter endet im Februar.
- Im späten Februar kommen die ersten Krokusse.
- Der Februar markiert das Ende des Winters.
Conversation Starters
"Was ist dein Lieblingsmonat und warum?"
"Erinnerst du dich an einen besonderen Februar?"
"Was machst du gerne im Februar?"
"Glaubst du, der Februar wird dieses Jahr kalt?"
"Planst du etwas Besonderes für den Februar?"
Journal Prompts
Beschreibe das Wetter, das du normalerweise im Februar erlebst.
Welche Erinnerungen hast du an Geburtstage oder Feiertage im Februar?
Was sind deine Erwartungen für den kommenden Februar?
Schreibe über deine Pläne oder Wünsche für den Februar.
Denke über die Bedeutung des Februars als Übergangsmonat nach.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsDer Februar is a masculine noun in German. Therefore, it always takes the masculine definite article 'der' (e.g., 'der Februar'). When used with the preposition 'in' to indicate 'in February', it contracts to 'im' (in dem), so you say 'im Februar'.
Der Februar is the shortest month. It typically has 28 days. However, in a leap year (Schaltjahr), which occurs every four years, der Februar has 29 days.
Der Februar comes after 'der Januar' (January) and before 'der März' (March) in the Gregorian calendar.
Yes, the most well-known holiday in February is Valentine's Day (der Valentinstag), which falls on the 14th. In some regions, Carnival (Karneval or Fasching) celebrations can also extend into February.
In Germany, der Februar is typically a cold winter month. Snow is common, and temperatures are often below freezing. However, towards the end of the month, the days start getting noticeably longer, hinting at the approaching spring.
To say 'in February', you use the contraction 'im', which is a combination of the preposition 'in' and the dative article 'dem'. So, it's 'im Februar'.
In standard German, there isn't a common plural form for month names like 'der Februar'. If you need to refer to multiple Februaries, you would typically use phrases like 'die Februarmonate' or 'in den Februaren der letzten Jahre' (in the Februaries of the last years), although the latter is less common in everyday speech.
The name 'Februar' comes from the Latin word 'Februarius', which was named after 'Februa', an ancient Roman festival of purification held in the middle of the month.
While der Februar is typically cold in Germany, the exact weather can vary from year to year. Some Februaries can be milder, and towards the end of the month, you might start seeing signs of spring.
You can use it in various ways, for example: 'Im Februar ist es kalt.' (In February it is cold.) or 'Mein Geburtstag ist im Februar.' (My birthday is in February.) or 'Der Februar ist der kürzeste Monat.' (February is the shortest month.)
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Summary
Der Februar is the second month of the year, notable for being the shortest, usually having 28 days. It falls between January and March and is typically a winter month in Germany.
- Der Februar: The second, shortest month.
- Typically 28 days; 29 in a leap year.
- Follows January, precedes March.
- Often associated with winter in Germany.
Masculine Gender and 'im'
Always remember that 'der Februar' is masculine. When you want to say 'in February', you must use the contracted form 'im' (in + dem). So, it's always 'im Februar', never 'in Februar'.
Stress the First Syllable
The main stress in 'Februar' falls on the first syllable: FE-bru-ar. Practice saying it clearly to be understood easily.
Shortest Month Association
February's most distinctive feature is its length. Associate 'der Februar' with 'short' or '28 days' to help remember it and its unique characteristic.
Winter in Germany
In Germany, February is a core winter month. Think of cold, snow, and potentially shorter daylight hours when using 'der Februar' in context.
Related Content
More general words
ab
A1from, off (starting from a point)
abends
A2in the evening
aber
A1But/However (introduces a contrast)
abgelegen
B1remote
ablehnen
A2to refuse, to decline
abschließen
A2to conclude, to lock
abseits
A2aside, off the beaten track; to one side.
acht
A1Eight (the number 8)
Achte
A1Eighth (ordinal number).
achten
A2to pay attention; to be careful or mindful.
