Bite 8: Talking About the Weather in German

German in 100 bites by Dr. Mitar Pitzek

Bite 8:
Talking About the Weather in German
(A1 Level)

Innes Blog - Bite 8: Talking About the Weather in German

Before We Dive In:

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, as we saw in our last article, had a deep fascination with colors, but he also paid attention to another important aspect of life: the weather. After all, both colors and weather have a unique way of influencing our emotions and experiences. This connection between nature and mood is something Goethe often explored in his work. So, today, we’ll focus on a fundamental topic: talking about the weather in German.

Weather plays an important role in our everyday life. Even Goethe knew how much the weather can influence our moods and thoughts. In his work Faust, Goethe describes the stormy weather as a reflection of the inner turmoil of his protagonist. Just as the weather outside often mirrors our feelings, we can use weather terms in German to talk about ourselves and the world around us.

Just like Goethe found inspiration in nature, you can use weather as a gateway to practicing German vocabulary. The weather is an essential and practical topic for German small talk.

Why Learn to Talk About the Weather in German?

Weather is a universal topic that’s perfect for German learners, especially at the A1 level. Not only is it an excellent way to expand your vocabulary, but it’s also a fun and simple way to connect with native speakers in everyday conversations.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to describe sunny days, rainy afternoons, and snowy mornings – all in German! 🌦️

Step-by-Step Guide: Talking About the Weather in German

1. Start with Basic Weather Vocabulary

To talk about the weather, you’ll need these essential German words: English – German

the weather – das Wetter
sunny – sonnig
rainy – regnerisch
cloudy – bewölkt
windy – winding
cold – kalt
warm – warm
hot – heiß
snow – der Schnee
rain – der Regen
wind – der Wind

Exercise: Say these words aloud! Repetition helps with pronunciation and memory.

2. Form Simple Weather Sentences

The phrase “Es ist…” (It is…) is your best friend when describing weather:

Es ist sonnig. (It’s sunny.)
Es ist kalt. (It’s cold.)
Es ist windig. (It’s windy.)

When talking about rain or snow, use Es gibt… (There is…):

Es gibt Regen. (There is rain.)
Es gibt Schnee. (There is snow.)

Tip: Create your own sentences to describe today’s weather!

3. Ask About the Weather in German

Here are a few phrases to ask about the weather:

Wie ist das Wetter? (How is the weather?)
Wie ist das Wetter heute? (How is the weather today?)
Was für ein Wetter haben wir? (What kind of weather do we have?)

You can answer using the phrases above:

Es ist sonnig.
Es gibt Wind.

4. Practice Describing Weather in Your City

Combine location and weather vocabulary to create realistic sentences:

In Wien ist es bewölkt und kalt. (In Vienna, it is cloudy and cold.)
In Berlin gibt es Regen. (In Berlin, there is rain.)

Exercise: Write 2–3 sentences describing the weather in your city!

5. Add a Fun Element: Weather Matching Game

Learning is more fun with games! Create a weather matching game using flashcards:

Match German weather words like “sonnig” to pictures (☀️).
Practice with a friend or on your own.

Pro Tip from Dr. Pitzek

Incorporate weather vocabulary into your daily routine. Start each day by describing the weather out loud:

Heute ist es sonnig. (Today, it’s sunny.)
Morgen wird es kalt. (Tomorrow, it will be cold.)

Bonus: Small Talk with Native Speakers

Talking about the weather is a perfect icebreaker! If you’re learning with a friend or a native speaker, ask:

Wie ist das Wetter bei dir? (What’s the weather like where you are?)
Es ist sonnig. Und bei dir? (It’s sunny. How about you?)

Why Practice Talking About the Weather?

Discussing the weather builds your confidence with German adjectives, sentence structures, and everyday vocabulary. Plus, it’s practical for daily life and an easy way to connect with others.

Before we dive deeper into advanced weather expressions, start with these foundational words and phrases. Build a habit of describing the weather daily – it’s fun, easy, and effective!