der Mai
May
The fifth month of the year, which follows April and comes before June.
EXAMPLE
Im Mai blühen in vielen Gärten die Rosen.
In May, roses bloom in many gardens.
der Mai
May
der Mai, die Maie
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Mai, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Maie |
| genitive | des Mai |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Mai | die Maie |
| accusative | den Mai | die Maie |
| dative | dem Mai | den Maien |
| genitive | des Mai des Mais, des Maien | der Maie |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Time prepositions
For a period of time with „Mai“ (May), „im“ is usually used: „im Mai“ (in May). For an exact date, however, „am“ is used together with the day and month.
EXAMPLE
Im Mai beginnt für viele Schülerinnen und Schüler die Prüfungszeit.
For many students, the exam period begins in May.
Am 1. Mai bleibt das Geschäft geschlossen.
The store is closed on May 1.
Time expressions
„Mai“ (May) is often used to form more specific time expressions such as „Anfang Mai“ (early May), „Mitte Mai“ (mid-May), and „Ende Mai“ (late May). These expressions are normally not preceded by an article before „Mai“ (May).
EXAMPLE
Anfang Mai pflanzen wir die Tomaten ins Freie.
At the beginning of May, we plant the tomatoes outdoors.
Ende Mai wird es oft schon deutlich wärmer.
By the end of May, it is often already noticeably warmer.
Cultural context
May 1 is a public holiday in Germany and Austria; in Switzerland, whether it is a public holiday depends on the canton. Therefore, „am 1. Mai“ (on May 1) can also be used in connection with days off work.
EXAMPLE
Am 1. Mai finden in vielen Städten öffentliche Veranstaltungen statt.
Public events take place in many cities on May 1.
In real life
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