01
der Hagel
hail
A form of precipitation in which small to large balls of ice fall from the sky.
example
Der plötzliche Hagel hat das Autodach und die Ernte beschädigt.
The sudden hail damaged the car roof and the crops.
der Hagel
hail
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Use with 'es'
When it hails, the impersonal phrase 'es hagelt' (it is hailing) is often used. The noun 'Hagel' (hail) then becomes a verb.
EXAMPLE
Gestern hat es so stark gehagelt, dass die Straßen weiß waren.
Yesterday it hailed so heavily that the streets were white.
Typical collocations
In connection with the weather phenomenon, people often speak of 'starkem Hagel' (heavy hail) or a 'Hagelschauer' (hail shower). Things can be 'vom Hagel beschädigt' (damaged by hail).
EXAMPLE
Ein kurzer, aber heftiger Hagelschauer zog über das Land.
A short but violent hail shower passed over the countryside.
Context clue
You can always recognize the figurative meaning by the preposition 'von' (of). The phrase 'ein Hagel von' (a hail of) describes a large, rapid amount of mostly negative things such as criticism, questions, or accusations.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Pressekonferenz gab es einen Hagel von kritischen Fragen.
After the press conference, there was a hail of critical questions.
Compare with
Hagel vs Regen
rain
'der Regen' and 'der Hagel' are both forms of precipitation. The difference is the form: with rain, drops of water fall; with hail, small or larger balls of ice fall. That is why hail can be more dangerous for cars, plants, or windows. The words can be confused because both come from the sky and often happen in bad weather. In a figurative sense, both describe a large amount that pelts someone. However, 'ein Hagel von Kritik' (a hail of criticism) sounds harsher and more aggressive than 'ein Regen von Fragen' (a shower of questions).
Hagel
In der Nacht hat der Hagel viele Blumen im Garten beschädigt.
During the night, the hail damaged many flowers in the garden.
Regen
Nimm lieber einen Schirm mit, denn der Regen beginnt gleich.
You'd better take an umbrella, because the rain is about to start.
In real life
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