das Erwachen
awakening
The transition from sleep to wakefulness.
EXAMPLE
Beim Erwachen wusste er zuerst nicht, wo er war.
On awakening, he did not know where he was at first.
das Erwachen
awakening
das Erwachen
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Meanings
das Erwachen
awakening
The emergence or revival of feelings, abilities, or intellectual and social forces.
EXAMPLE
Die Proteste waren ein Zeichen für das Erwachen des politischen Bewusstseins in der Bevölkerung.
The protests were a sign of the awakening of political awareness among the population.
ein böses Erwachen
rude awakening
An unpleasant realization or disappointment when hopes or assumptions turn out to be false.
EXAMPLE
Als die tatsächlichen Kosten bekannt wurden, gab es für die Bauherren ein böses Erwachen.
When the actual costs became known, the people having the house built had a rude awakening.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Erwachen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Erwachens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Erwachen | – |
| accusative | das Erwachen | – |
| dative | dem Erwachen | – |
| genitive | des Erwachens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Erwachen' (awakening) is derived from the verb 'erwachen' (to awaken) and expresses the process as a noun. The word can therefore refer both to waking up and to a figurative emergence.
EXAMPLE
Das Erwachen aus dem langen Winterschlaf dauerte bei dem Tier mehrere Stunden.
The animal's awakening from its long hibernation took several hours.
Time expression
The phrase 'nach dem Erwachen' (after awakening) is often used to indicate when something happens. The preposition 'nach' (after) takes the dative case here.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Erwachen hörte er sofort den Regen am Fenster.
After awakening, he immediately heard the rain against the window.
Typical collocations
In its figurative sense, 'Erwachen' (awakening) is often used with abstract nouns such as 'Bewusstsein' (awareness), 'Interesse' (interest), 'Kräfte' (forces), or 'Hoffnung' (hope). Typical structures include 'das Erwachen des Bewusstseins' (the awakening of awareness) and 'das Erwachen neuer Kräfte' (the awakening of new forces).
EXAMPLE
Das Erwachen des Interesses an der Geschichte begann schon in der Schulzeit.
The awakening of interest in history began back in the school years.
Fixed expression
'Ein böses Erwachen' (a rude awakening) is a fixed expression. It is often used with verbs such as 'erleben' (to experience) or 'geben' (to give) and describes the moment when an unpleasant reality becomes apparent.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Kauf der alten Wohnung erlebte die Familie ein böses Erwachen.
After buying the old apartment, the family had a rude awakening.
Compare with
Erwachen vs Aufwachen
waking up
“Das Aufwachen” and “das Erwachen” both refer to the transition from sleep to wakefulness. “Das Aufwachen” is neutral in everyday use, while “das Erwachen” often sounds elevated or literary. Both can describe the same process; the choice mainly affects the style.
Erwachen
Nach dem Erwachen hörte sie die Vögel vor ihrem Fenster.
Upon awakening, she heard the birds outside her window.
Aufwachen
Nach dem Aufwachen hörte sie die Vögel vor ihrem Fenster.
After waking up, she heard the birds outside her window.
In real life
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