Temperatur in 30 Seconds
- Noun: die Temperatur (fem.)
- Plural: die Temperaturen
- Meaning: Temperature (weather, body, physics)
- Key Collocations: hohe/niedrige Temperatur, Temperatur steigt/sinkt
The German word Temperatur (die Temperatur, plural: die Temperaturen) translates directly to 'temperature' in English. It is a feminine noun used to describe the degree of heat or cold in an object, a living body, or the environment. Understanding this word is crucial for everyday conversations about the weather, health, cooking, and science. The concept of temperature is universal, but the way it is expressed and collocated in German has specific nuances that learners must master. For instance, in German, temperatures are described as 'high' (hoch) or 'low' (niedrig), never as 'warm' or 'cold'.
- Weather Context
- Used to describe the outside climate, usually measured in Celsius.
Die Temperatur sinkt heute Nacht unter null Grad.
When discussing health, 'Temperatur' often refers to body temperature. If someone has a slight fever, they might say 'Ich habe Temperatur' (I have a temperature), which is a colloquial way of saying they are running a mild fever, distinct from 'Fieber' (high fever).
- Medical Context
- Refers to body heat, typically measured with a thermometer.
Der Arzt misst die Temperatur des Patienten.
In scientific and culinary contexts, precise temperature control is vital. Whether baking a cake or conducting a chemical experiment, 'Temperatur' is the standard term.
- Culinary Context
- Oven or cooking heat levels.
Backen Sie den Kuchen bei einer Temperatur von 180 Grad.
Die Temperatur des Wassers muss konstant bleiben.
Bei dieser Temperatur schmilzt das Eis sofort.
To summarize, 'Temperatur' is a versatile and essential noun. It bridges casual small talk about the weather and precise technical discussions. Mastering its use, especially the correct adjectives (hoch/niedrig) and verbs (steigen/sinken), will significantly improve your German fluency and accuracy.
Using Temperatur correctly involves pairing it with the right verbs and adjectives. Unlike English, where we might casually say 'the temperature is hot', German requires precision: temperatures are 'high' (hoch) or 'low' (niedrig). Saying 'die Temperatur ist heiß' sounds unnatural to a native speaker. Instead, you should say 'die Temperatur ist hoch' or simply 'es ist heiß'.
- Verbs of Change
- Steigen (to rise), sinken (to fall/sink), fallen (to drop).
Im Sommer steigen die Temperaturen oft über 30 Grad.
When you actively change the temperature, for example on a thermostat or an oven, you use verbs like 'erhöhen' (to increase) or 'senken' (to lower).
- Active Verbs
- Erhöhen (increase), senken (decrease), messen (measure), einstellen (set).
Bitte senken Sie die Temperatur der Heizung.
In compound nouns, 'Temperatur' is extremely productive. You will frequently encounter words like 'Außentemperatur' (outside temperature), 'Körpertemperatur' (body temperature), 'Zimmertemperatur' (room temperature), and 'Betriebstemperatur' (operating temperature). These compounds follow the standard German rule where the final word determines the gender, so they are all feminine (die).
- Adjective Collocations
- Hoch (high), niedrig (low), konstant (constant), extrem (extreme), mild (mild).
Wir erwarten morgen extreme Temperaturen.
Die durchschnittliche Temperatur liegt bei 15 Grad.
Der Wein sollte bei Zimmertemperatur serviert werden.
Remember that when talking about the weather in general, Germans often use the plural 'die Temperaturen' rather than the singular. For example, 'Die Temperaturen sind angenehm' (The temperatures are pleasant) is more common in weather forecasts than 'Die Temperatur ist angenehm'.
The word Temperatur is ubiquitous in daily German life. You will hear it first and foremost in weather forecasts (der Wetterbericht). Whether on the radio, television, or a smartphone app, meteorologists constantly discuss how the 'Temperaturen' will develop over the coming days. They will talk about 'Höchsttemperaturen' (maximum temperatures) and 'Tiefsttemperaturen' (minimum temperatures).
- Media and News
- Weather forecasts, climate change reports, environmental news.
Die Höchsttemperatur erreicht heute 25 Grad.
Another extremely common setting is the doctor's office (die Arztpraxis) or the hospital (das Krankenhaus). When you are sick, the medical staff will ask about your body temperature. Parents also use this word frequently when checking if their children are ill.
- Healthcare
- Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, home care.
Haben Sie heute Morgen Ihre Temperatur gemessen?
In the kitchen, recipes rely heavily on precise temperatures. Baking instructions will always specify the 'Temperatur' for the oven. Similarly, instructions for washing clothes will state the maximum 'Waschtemperatur' to avoid ruining fabrics.
- Household Chores
- Cooking, baking, doing laundry, adjusting heating.
Waschen Sie dieses Hemd bei einer Temperatur von 30 Grad.
Stellen Sie die Temperatur am Thermostat ein.
Die Temperatur im Kühlschrank ist zu hoch.
Finally, in technical, automotive, and scientific fields, 'Temperatur' is a core metric. Mechanics check the 'Motortemperatur' (engine temperature), and IT professionals monitor the temperature of computer servers to prevent overheating. It is a word that spans the most casual domestic contexts to the most rigorous scientific environments.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with Temperatur is translating the adjectives 'hot' and 'cold' directly. In English, we might say 'the temperature is hot today'. In German, 'die Temperatur ist heiß' is considered incorrect or very poor style. Temperatures are numerical values, so they can only be 'high' (hoch) or 'low' (niedrig).
- Adjective Error
- Using warm/kalt/heiß instead of hoch/niedrig with Temperatur.
FALSCH: Die Temperatur ist sehr kalt. RICHTIG: Die Temperatur ist sehr niedrig.
Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'Temperatur' and 'Fieber' in medical contexts. While 'Fieber' specifically means a fever (a body temperature significantly above normal), 'Temperatur' is the neutral measurement. However, colloquially, Germans say 'er hat Temperatur' to mean 'he has a slight fever' (around 37.5 to 38.0 °C). If it goes higher, it becomes 'Fieber'.
- Medical Nuance
- Temperatur vs. Fieber.
Das Kind hat leicht erhöhte Temperatur, aber noch kein Fieber.
Learners also sometimes struggle with the prepositions used with 'Temperatur'. When stating a specific temperature, you use 'von' or 'bei'. For example, 'eine Temperatur von 20 Grad' (a temperature of 20 degrees) or 'bei einer Temperatur von...' (at a temperature of...).
- Preposition Usage
- Using 'von' for possession/attribute, 'bei' for condition.
Wasser kocht bei einer Temperatur von 100 Grad Celsius.
Wir haben eine Außentemperatur von minus fünf Grad.
Die Temperatur liegt bei genau 22 Grad.
Lastly, pay attention to the plural. In English, we often use the singular 'temperature' to describe the general weather state. In German, the plural 'die Temperaturen' is strongly preferred in weather forecasts (e.g., 'Die Temperaturen steigen am Wochenende').
While Temperatur is the precise, scientific word for the degree of heat, German has several related words that describe weather, climate, and heat levels. Understanding the differences between these synonyms and related terms will enrich your vocabulary and help you sound more like a native speaker.
- Das Wetter (Weather)
- The general state of the atmosphere, including rain, wind, and temperature.
Das Wetter ist schön, weil die Temperatur angenehm ist.
Another related concept is 'Das Klima' (climate). Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature and weather in a specific region. With the ongoing discussions about global warming, 'Klimawandel' (climate change) is frequently mentioned alongside rising 'Durchschnittstemperaturen' (average temperatures).
- Das Klima (Climate)
- Long-term weather patterns.
Der Klimawandel sorgt für weltweit steigende Temperaturen.
When talking about the physical sensation of heat or cold, Germans use words like 'die Hitze' (the heat), 'die Wärme' (the warmth), and 'die Kälte' (the cold). These words describe the subjective experience or the extreme ends of the temperature spectrum, whereas 'Temperatur' is the objective measurement.
- Sensory Nouns
- Hitze, Wärme, Kälte.
Trotz der niedrigen Temperatur spürte er keine Kälte.
Die Hitze ist unerträglich, die Temperatur liegt bei 38 Grad.
Die angenehme Wärme kommt von der optimalen Raumtemperatur.
Finally, 'der Wärmegrad' is a direct, albeit rarely used, synonym for Temperatur, mostly found in older texts or highly specific technical jargon. Stick to 'Temperatur' for almost all modern applications.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Adjective declension after definite articles (die hohe Temperatur).
Prepositions with Dative (bei einer Temperatur von...).
Strong verbs (steigen/stieg/gestiegen, sinken/sank/gesunken).
Compound nouns and gender determination (das Zimmer + die Temperatur = die Zimmertemperatur).
Plural formation of nouns ending in -ur (add -en).
Examples by Level
Die Temperatur ist heute 20 Grad.
The temperature is 20 degrees today.
Basic subject-verb-object structure using 'ist'.
Wie ist die Temperatur?
What is the temperature?
Question word 'Wie' used to ask for the state of the temperature.
Die Temperatur ist gut.
The temperature is good.
Simple adjective description.
Ich lese die Temperatur.
I read the temperature.
Using the verb 'lesen' (to read).
Die Temperatur ist null Grad.
The temperature is zero degrees.
Using numbers with 'Grad'.
Wir haben eine gute Temperatur.
We have a good temperature.
Using 'haben' to describe the current weather condition.
Ist die Temperatur kalt?
Is the temperature cold? (Note: Colloquial, technically 'niedrig' is better).
Yes/no question structure.
Die Temperatur im Haus ist 22 Grad.
The temperature in the house is 22 degrees.
Adding a location preposition 'im Haus'.
Die Temperatur steigt heute auf 25 Grad.
The temperature is rising to 25 degrees today.
Using the verb 'steigen' and preposition 'auf'.
Im Winter sinkt die Temperatur oft unter null.
In winter, the temperature often falls below zero.
Using the verb 'sinken' and preposition 'unter'.
Der Arzt misst meine Temperatur.
The doctor measures my temperature.
Using the irregular verb 'messen'.
Die Temperatur ist sehr hoch.
The temperature is very high.
Correctly using 'hoch' instead of 'heiß'.
Die Temperatur ist zu niedrig zum Schwimmen.
The temperature is too low for swimming.
Using 'zu' + adjective + 'zum' + infinitive noun.
Hast du Temperatur?
Do you have a temperature? (mild fever)
Colloquial medical phrase without an article.
Die Außentemperatur ist angenehm.
The outside temperature is pleasant.
Introduction of the compound noun 'Außentemperatur'.
Wir brauchen eine konstante Temperatur.
We need a constant temperature.
Using the adjective 'konstant'.
Bitte senken Sie die Temperatur der Heizung.
Please lower the temperature of the heating.
Using the active verb 'senken' and genitive case 'der Heizung'.
Die Temperaturen schwanken in dieser Jahreszeit stark.
Temperatures fluctuate heavily in this season.
Using the plural 'Temperaturen' and the verb 'schwanken'.
Der Kuchen muss bei einer Temperatur von 180 Grad backen.
The cake must bake at a temperature of 180 degrees.
Using the preposition 'bei' + dative.
Trotz der niedrigen Temperaturen sind wir spazieren gegangen.
Despite the low temperatures, we went for a walk.
Using the genitive preposition 'Trotz'.
Die Durchschnittstemperatur ist im letzten Jahr gestiegen.
The average temperature rose last year.
Compound noun 'Durchschnittstemperatur' and Perfekt tense of 'steigen'.
Man sollte den Wein bei Zimmertemperatur servieren.
One should serve the wine at room temperature.
Compound noun 'Zimmertemperatur' with 'bei'.
Wenn die Temperatur fällt, fängt es an zu schneien.
If the temperature drops, it starts to snow.
Conditional clause with 'Wenn'.
Die Wassertemperatur im See beträgt 18 Grad.
The water temperature in the lake is 18 degrees.
Using the formal verb 'betragen' for measurements.
Die extremen Temperaturschwankungen machen vielen Menschen zu schaffen.
The extreme temperature fluctuations cause problems for many people.
Complex compound noun 'Temperaturschwankungen' and idiom 'zu schaffen machen'.
Um Energie zu sparen, wurde die Vorlauftemperatur der Heizungsanlage reduziert.
In order to save energy, the flow temperature of the heating system was reduced.
Passive voice 'wurde reduziert' and technical compound 'Vorlauftemperatur'.
Der Klimawandel führt zu einem kontinuierlichen Anstieg der globalen Temperaturen.
Climate change leads to a continuous rise in global temperatures.
Formal vocabulary 'Anstieg' and 'führt zu'.
Bei Erreichen der kritischen Temperatur schaltet sich das Gerät automatisch ab.
Upon reaching the critical temperature, the device shuts down automatically.
Nominalized infinitive 'Bei Erreichen' and reflexive verb 'sich abschalten'.
Die gefühlte Temperatur weicht oft stark von der gemessenen ab.
The perceived temperature often differs greatly from the measured one.
Concept of 'gefühlte Temperatur' and verb 'abweichen von'.
Es ist darauf zu achten, dass die Lagertemperatur nicht überschritten wird.
Care must be taken that the storage temperature is not exceeded.
Passive infinitive construction 'nicht überschritten wird'.
Der Motor hat seine optimale Betriebstemperatur noch nicht erreicht.
The engine has not yet reached its optimal operating temperature.
Technical term 'Betriebstemperatur'.
Wir müssen die Temperatur im Auge behalten, um eine Überhitzung zu vermeiden.
We must keep an eye on the temperature to avoid overheating.
Idiom 'im Auge behalten' and 'um...zu' clause.
Die globale Erwärmung manifestiert sich in beispiellosen Temperaturrekorden.
Global warming manifests itself in unprecedented temperature records.
Advanced vocabulary 'manifestiert sich' and 'beispiellos'.
Der Temperaturgradient in der Erdkruste ist ein entscheidender Faktor für die Geothermie.
The temperature gradient in the Earth's crust is a crucial factor for geothermal energy.
Scientific terminology 'Temperaturgradient' and 'Erdkruste'.
Der Moderator versuchte, die Temperatur aus der hitzigen politischen Debatte zu nehmen.
The moderator tried to take the temperature out of the heated political debate.
Figurative use of 'Temperatur' meaning tension/anger.
Eine präzise Temperaturführung ist für die Synthese dieses Polymers unerlässlich.
Precise temperature control is essential for the synthesis of this polymer.
Technical compound 'Temperaturführung' and adjective 'unerlässlich'.
Die Temperaturanomalien der letzten Dekade korrelieren stark mit den CO2-Emissionen.
The temperature anomalies of the last decade correlate strongly with CO2 emissions.
Academic vocabulary 'Anomalien' and 'korrelieren'.
Supraleitfähigkeit tritt bei bestimmten Materialien erst unterhalb der Sprungtemperatur auf.
Superconductivity only occurs in certain materials below the critical temperature.
Physics terminology 'Supraleitfähigkeit' and 'Sprungtemperatur'.
Die Farbtemperatur des Lichts beeinflusst maßgeblich die Atmosphäre des Raumes.
The color temperature of the light significantly influences the atmosphere of the room.
Photography/design term 'Farbtemperatur'.
Trotz der widrigen Umstände blieb die Körpertemperatur des Verunglückten im stabilen Bereich.
Despite the adverse circumstances, the casualty's body temperature remained in the stable range.
Advanced phrasing 'widrige Umstände' and 'im stabilen Bereich'.
Die thermodynamischen Gesetze diktieren das Verhalten von Materie bei Annäherung an den absoluten Temperaturnullpunkt.
The laws of thermodynamics dictate the behavior of matter as it approaches absolute zero temperature.
Highly specialized physics vocabulary 'Temperaturnullpunkt'.
In seinem Roman nutzt der Autor die fallenden Temperaturen als subtile Metapher für den emotionalen Verfall des Protagonisten.
In his novel, the author uses the falling temperatures as a subtle metaphor for the protagonist's emotional decay.
Literary analysis vocabulary and metaphorical usage.
Die Diskrepanz zwischen der prognostizierten und der tatsächlichen Temperaturentwicklung offenbarte eklatante Mängel im Klimamodell.
The discrepancy between the predicted and actual temperature development revealed glaring flaws in the climate model.
Academic critique vocabulary 'Diskrepanz', 'eklatante Mängel'.
Die gesellschaftliche Temperatur hat einen Siedepunkt erreicht, der zivilen Ungehorsam unausweichlich macht.
The societal temperature has reached a boiling point that makes civil disobedience inevitable.
Advanced figurative use 'gesellschaftliche Temperatur' and 'Siedepunkt'.
Die Kalibrierung der Sensoren erfordert eine Umgebung mit strikt kontrollierter Temperaturkonstanz.
The calibration of the sensors requires an environment with strictly controlled temperature constancy.
Engineering terminology 'Temperaturkonstanz'.
Es bedarf einer differenzierten Betrachtung der Temperaturprofile, um die mikroklimatischen Veränderungen zu evaluieren.
A differentiated examination of the temperature profiles is required to evaluate the microclimatic changes.
Academic phrasing 'Es bedarf' + genitive, 'differenzierte Betrachtung'.
Die Temperaturinversion im Talbecken begünstigte die Akkumulation von Feinstaub in besorgniserregendem Ausmaß.
The temperature inversion in the valley basin favored the accumulation of particulate matter to an alarming extent.
Meteorological phenomenon 'Temperaturinversion'.
Ihre unterkühlte Reaktion spiegelte die frostige Temperatur wider, die seit dem Eklat zwischen ihnen herrschte.
Her undercooled reaction reflected the frosty temperature that had prevailed between them since the scandal.
Double metaphor using 'unterkühlt' and 'frostige Temperatur' for human relations.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
'Temperatur haben' means a mild fever. 'Fieber haben' means a high fever.
In scientific contexts, specify the scale if not Celsius (z.B. in Kelvin).
Use plural 'die Temperaturen' for general weather trends.
- Saying 'Die Temperatur ist heiß' instead of 'Die Temperatur ist hoch'.
- Saying 'Die Temperatur ist kalt' instead of 'Die Temperatur ist niedrig'.
- Using 'Fieber' when someone only has a normal body temperature measurement.
- Using the wrong article (der/das Temperatur instead of die Temperatur).
- Using Fahrenheit numbers without specifying, causing massive confusion.
Tips
Feminine Suffix
Remember that words ending in '-ur' are feminine. Die Temperatur, die Natur, die Kultur.
Hoch vs. Heiß
Never say a temperature is hot or cold. It is always 'hoch' (high) or 'niedrig' (low).
Asking the Weather
Instead of asking 'Wie ist die Temperatur?', native speakers often ask 'Wie viel Grad wird es heute?' (How many degrees will it be today?).
Having a Temperature
If a doctor says 'Sie haben Temperatur', they mean you have a mild fever, not just that you possess a body temperature.
Steigen and Sinken
Memorize the strong verb forms: steigen/stieg/ist gestiegen and sinken/sank/ist gesunken.
Bei + Dative
When describing a state at a certain temperature, use 'bei': 'Bei diesen Temperaturen bleibe ich zu Hause.'
Building Words
You can attach almost any location or object to 'temperatur' to make a new word: Wassertemperatur, Lufttemperatur, Motortemperatur.
Weather Plural
Get used to using the plural 'Temperaturen' when making general statements about the summer or winter weather.
Formal Verbs
In essays or reports, use 'betragen' or 'liegen bei' instead of 'sein'. 'Die Temperatur beträgt 20 Grad.'
Celsius Only
Always think in Celsius when speaking German. 20 is nice, 30 is hot, 0 is freezing.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a THERMOMETER measuring the TEMPER of nature (Temperatur). If nature is angry, the temperature is HIGH (hoch).
Word Origin
Borrowed from Latin 'temperatura' (proper mixture, correct state), derived from 'temperare' (to mix in due proportion, to regulate).
Cultural Context
The German obsession with 'Stoßlüften' (shock ventilation) is all about regulating indoor air quality and 'Temperatur' efficiently.
In German sauna culture, 'Temperatur' is a serious topic, with different saunas strictly categorized by their exact heat levels (e.g., 60°C, 90°C).
Fahrenheit is never used in everyday German life. If you say 'Es sind 80 Grad', people will think you are in a sauna.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"Wie sind die Temperaturen heute draußen?"
"Findest du diese Temperatur im Büro angenehm?"
"Auf welche Temperatur stellst du die Heizung im Winter?"
"Hast du mal deine Temperatur gemessen? Du siehst krank aus."
"Glaubst du, dass die globalen Temperaturen weiter so schnell steigen?"
Journal Prompts
Beschreibe deine Lieblingstemperatur für einen Urlaubstag.
Wie gehst du mit extrem hohen Temperaturen im Sommer um?
Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem die Temperatur plötzlich stark gefallen ist.
Warum ist die Diskussion über globale Temperaturen heute so wichtig?
Notiere ein Rezept und achte besonders auf die genauen Temperaturangaben.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is feminine: 'die Temperatur'. All German nouns ending in the suffix '-ur' (like Natur, Kultur, Struktur) are feminine.
No, this is a very common mistake. Temperatures are numbers, so they can only be 'hoch' (high) or 'niedrig' (low). You should say 'Die Temperatur ist hoch' or 'Es ist heiß'.
'Temperatur' is the neutral measurement of body heat. 'Fieber' specifically means a high body temperature due to illness. Colloquially, 'erhöhte Temperatur' means a slight fever (around 37.5-38°C).
You can ask 'Wie ist die Temperatur?' or 'Wie viel Grad haben wir heute?' The latter is more common in casual conversation about the weather.
Germans exclusively use Celsius. If you say the temperature is 70 degrees, they will think you are talking about a sauna or an oven.
Use 'steigen' (to rise) when it goes up, and 'sinken' or 'fallen' (to fall/drop) when it goes down. Example: 'Die Temperatur steigt.'
The word is 'die Zimmertemperatur'. It is a compound noun made from 'das Zimmer' (room) and 'die Temperatur'.
In German, the plural 'die Temperaturen' is used to refer to the general temperature conditions over an area or a period of time, rather than a single specific measurement.
You use the preposition 'bei'. For example: 'Wasser kocht bei einer Temperatur von 100 Grad.'
Yes, 'Wärmegrad' is a literal German synonym for the Latin-derived 'Temperatur'. However, it is rarely used in modern everyday German; 'Temperatur' is the standard word.
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Summary
Always use 'hoch' (high) or 'niedrig' (low) to describe a 'Temperatur' in German, never 'heiß' (hot) or 'kalt' (cold). Use the plural 'Temperaturen' when talking generally about the weather.
- Noun: die Temperatur (fem.)
- Plural: die Temperaturen
- Meaning: Temperature (weather, body, physics)
- Key Collocations: hohe/niedrige Temperatur, Temperatur steigt/sinkt
Feminine Suffix
Remember that words ending in '-ur' are feminine. Die Temperatur, die Natur, die Kultur.
Hoch vs. Heiß
Never say a temperature is hot or cold. It is always 'hoch' (high) or 'niedrig' (low).
Asking the Weather
Instead of asking 'Wie ist die Temperatur?', native speakers often ask 'Wie viel Grad wird es heute?' (How many degrees will it be today?).
Having a Temperature
If a doctor says 'Sie haben Temperatur', they mean you have a mild fever, not just that you possess a body temperature.
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