die Morgendämmerung
dawn
The time in the early morning, shortly before the sun rises, when it slowly gets light.
EXAMPLE
Die Vögel begannen in der Morgendämmerung zu singen.
The birds began to sing at dawn.
die Morgendämmerung
dawn
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Meanings
die Morgendämmerung
dawn
In a figurative sense, the beginning of a new era, a new development, or a new age.
EXAMPLE
Die Erfindung des Internets markierte die Morgendämmerung eines neuen Informationszeitalters.
The invention of the internet marked the dawn of a new information age.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a compound of 'der Morgen' (the morning) and 'die Dämmerung' (twilight; the time between night and day). So it describes the twilight in the morning.
EXAMPLE
In der frühen Morgendämmerung ist die Stadt noch ganz still.
In the early dawn, the city is still completely quiet.
Time prepositions
To describe when something happens, you usually use 'in der Morgendämmerung' (at dawn) or the shorter form 'bei Morgendämmerung' (at dawn).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen noch in der Morgendämmerung aufbrechen.
We have to set off while it is still dawn.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that 'Morgendämmerung' (dawn) is combined with abstract nouns such as 'ein Zeitalter' (an age), 'eine Epoche' (an era), or 'eine neue Zeit' (a new time).
EXAMPLE
Die Entwicklung der künstlichen Intelligenz gilt als die Morgendämmerung einer technologischen Revolution.
The development of artificial intelligence is regarded as the dawn of a technological revolution.
Register and style
The figurative meaning of 'Morgendämmerung' (dawn) is used mainly in written language, in literary texts, or in journalism. It sounds poetic and elevated.
EXAMPLE
Der Historiker sprach von der Morgendämmerung der Demokratie in Europa.
The historian spoke of the dawn of democracy in Europe.
Compare with
Morgendämmerung vs Dämmerung
twilight / dawn
Dämmerung can refer to the transition in the morning or evening. Morgendämmerung, by contrast, specifically means the time before sunrise. If it is not already clear from the context that the time is in the morning, Morgendämmerung avoids possible confusion with the evening.
Morgendämmerung
In der Morgendämmerung war der Weg vor Sonnenaufgang nur schwer zu erkennen.
At dawn, it was difficult to make out the path before sunrise.
Dämmerung
In der Dämmerung war der Weg nur schwer zu erkennen.
In the twilight, it was difficult to make out the path.
In real life
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