01
die Bewölkung
cloud cover
The covering of the sky with clouds.
example
Am Morgen war die Bewölkung noch dicht, aber gegen Mittag klarte es auf.
In the morning, the cloud cover was still dense, but around midday it cleared up.
die Bewölkung
cloud cover
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Bewölkung' (cloud cover) belongs to the word family of 'die Wolke' (the cloud). The prefix 'be-' and the ending '-ung' turn it into a noun that describes the state of being covered with clouds.
EXAMPLE
Der Himmel ist heute komplett ohne Wolken.
The sky is completely without clouds today.
Uncountable noun
'Bewölkung' (cloud cover) is used as an uncountable noun. It describes the state of the sky as a whole and therefore normally has no plural and is not used with the indefinite article 'eine' (a/an).
EXAMPLE
Wegen starker Bewölkung konnte man die Sterne nicht sehen.
Because of heavy cloud cover, you couldn't see the stars.
Typical collocations
In weather reports, you often hear typical combinations. Adjectives like 'dichte' (dense), 'leichte' (light), or 'wechselnde' (variable) describe the type of cloud cover, while verbs like 'auflockern' (to break up) or 'zunehmen' (to increase) describe a change.
EXAMPLE
Für morgen ist wechselnde Bewölkung mit sonnigen Abschnitten gemeldet.
Variable cloud cover with sunny intervals is forecast for tomorrow.
Weather-report language
'Bewölkung' (cloud cover) is the official and neutral term used in meteorology and in weather forecasts to describe the degree of cloud coverage.
EXAMPLE
Laut Wetterbericht bleibt die dichte Bewölkung den ganzen Tag bestehen.
According to the weather report, the dense cloud cover will remain all day.
Compare with
Bewölkung vs Wolke
cloud
'Wolke' and 'Bewölkung' both belong to weather and the sky. A 'Wolke' is a single visible formation in the sky. You can count or describe it: 'eine kleine Wolke' (a small cloud), 'dunkle Wolken' (dark clouds). 'Bewölkung', on the other hand, refers to the overall state of the sky, meaning how strongly the sky is covered with clouds. The words can be confused because cloud cover consists of clouds. If you mean a single shape, use 'Wolke'; if you are talking about the weather or the whole sky, 'Bewölkung' fits better.
Bewölkung
Am Nachmittag nimmt die Bewölkung zu, aber es bleibt trocken.
In the afternoon, the cloud cover increases, but it stays dry.
Wolke
Eine einzelne Wolke schiebt sich langsam vor die Sonne.
A single cloud slowly moves in front of the sun.
In real life
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