kontinental
continental
Relating to a continent; located on a continent.
EXAMPLE
Die kontinentalen Landmassen bedecken einen großen Teil der Erdoberfläche.
The continental landmasses cover a large part of the Earth's surface.
kontinental
continental
kontinental – kontinentaler – am kontinentalsten
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Meanings
kontinental
continental
Referring to a climate characterized by large temperature differences between summer and winter and generally low precipitation.
EXAMPLE
Im kontinentalen Klima sind die Winter kalt und die Sommer heiß.
In a continental climate, winters are cold and summers are hot.
kontinental
continental
Relating to mainland Europe and its countries, especially in contrast to Great Britain or other island nations.
EXAMPLE
Der kontinentale Teil Europas ist über mehrere Verkehrswege mit Großbritannien verbunden.
The continental part of Europe is connected to Great Britain by several transport routes.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry kontinental, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | kontinental |
|---|---|
| comparative | kontinentaler |
| superlative | am kontinentalsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to kontinental.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to kontinental.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to kontinental.
Usage tips
Word formation
“Kontinental” is formed from “Kontinent” (continent) and the suffix “-al.” The suffix turns it into an adjective for things connected with a continent.
EXAMPLE
Die kontinentalen Platten verschieben sich jedes Jahr um wenige Zentimeter.
The continental plates shift by a few centimeters every year.
Typical collocations
In its geographical meaning, “kontinental” (continental) frequently occurs in expressions such as “kontinentale Kruste” (continental crust), “kontinentale Landmassen” (continental landmasses), or “kontinentale Platten” (continental plates).
EXAMPLE
Die kontinentale Kruste ist im Durchschnitt dicker als die Kruste unter den Ozeanen.
The continental crust is, on average, thicker than the crust beneath the oceans.
Climate collocations
In its climate-related meaning, “kontinental” (continental) is especially common with “Klima” (climate), “Luftmasse” (air mass), or “Prägung” (influence). These combinations usually refer to weather and long-term climate conditions in inland areas.
EXAMPLE
Eine kontinentale Luftmasse brachte in der Nacht starken Frost.
A continental air mass brought severe frost during the night.
Context clue
The meaning relating to mainland Europe can often be recognized from words such as “Europa” (Europe), “Verkehr” (transport), “Handel” (trade), or “Festland” (mainland). “Kontinental” (continental) is especially common in political, economic, and transport-related texts.
EXAMPLE
Der Zugverkehr zwischen Großbritannien und dem kontinentalen Europa wurde ausgebaut.
Train services between Great Britain and continental Europe have been expanded.
In real life
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