climate
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climate
The typical long-term weather conditions of a particular region, such as temperature, precipitation, and wind.
Das mediterrane Klima ist durch heiße, trockene Sommer und milde, feuchte Winter gekennzeichnet.
The Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Klima' (climate) from the context. If people are talking about weather, geography, or science, e.g. temperature or climate change, the meteorological meaning is intended. If it is about the mood between people, e.g. at work or in politics, it means the social atmosphere.
Forscher warnen vor den Folgen des sich ändernden Klimas.
Researchers warn about the consequences of the changing climate.
The word 'Klima' (climate) is the basis for many important terms in the fields of the environment and science. If you see 'Klima-' at the beginning of a word, it almost always refers to the weather, e.g. in 'Klimawandel' (climate change), 'Klimaschutz' (climate protection), or 'Klimaanlage' (air-conditioning system).
Viele Menschen engagieren sich für den Klimaschutz.
Many people are committed to climate protection.
In the figurative sense, 'Klima' (climate/atmosphere) is often combined with adjectives that describe an atmosphere. Common combinations are 'ein gutes/schlechtes Klima' (a good/bad atmosphere), 'ein offenes Klima' (an open atmosphere), or 'ein Klima der Angst/des Vertrauens' (a climate of fear/trust).
Der neue Chef versucht, ein Klima des Vertrauens zu schaffen.
The new boss is trying to create a climate of trust.
weather
'das Wetter' and 'das Klima' both have to do with sun, rain, wind, and temperature. 'Das Wetter' means the conditions now or in the next few days in one place. 'Das Klima', on the other hand, describes what the weather is typically like in a region over many years. Learners often confuse the words because both talk about the atmosphere. A simple guide is: today the weather is bad, but in a region the climate is warm, dry, or humid.
In Spanien ist das Klima in vielen Regionen wärmer als in Deutschland.
In many regions of Spain, the climate is warmer than in Germany.
Wegen des schlechten Wetters bleiben wir heute zu Hause.
Because of the bad weather, we are staying home today.