01
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
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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 Morgen
morning
'der Morgen' and 'die Morgendämmerung' both belong to the early part of the day. But 'der Morgen' is broader: it can mean the whole period from daybreak until noon. 'die Morgendämmerung' is much more specific and means the short moment when it slowly gets light, shortly before sunrise. The words can be confused because dawn is part of the morning. Figuratively, both can also stand for a new beginning, but 'Morgendämmerung' sounds stronger and more solemn in that use.
Morgendämmerung
In der Morgendämmerung ist meine Mutter mit den Kindern zum See gegangen.
At dawn, my mother went to the lake with the children.
Morgen
Am Morgen vor dem Termin gehst du noch einmal alle Unterlagen durch.
On the morning before the appointment, you go through all the documents once more.
In real life
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