01
polar
Relating to the geographic poles of the Earth (North or South Pole) or the areas surrounding them.
example
Die polaren Eiskappen schmelzen aufgrund des Klimawandels.
The polar ice caps are melting due to climate change.
polar
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'polar' is derived directly from the noun 'der Pol' (pole). It therefore describes properties that have to do with the geographic poles of the Earth or, figuratively, things that are opposite like the poles.
EXAMPLE
Das polare Eis schmilzt immer schneller.
The polar ice is melting faster and faster.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'polar' from the context. If it is about geography or climate, it refers to the North or South Pole. In discussions about opinions or ideas, it means 'completely opposite'. In science (chemistry/physics), it refers to molecules.
EXAMPLE
Pinguine leben in polaren Regionen der Südhalbkugel.
Penguins live in polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere.
Sentence structure
In the figurative meaning 'opposite', 'polar' is very often used predicatively, meaning after a verb like 'sein' (to be). Using it directly before a noun is less common in this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Meinungen der beiden Experten sind polar.
The opinions of the two experts are opposite.
Typical collocations
In a geographic context, 'polar' is often combined with certain nouns. Typical combinations are 'polare Regionen' (polar regions), 'polares Klima' (polar climate), 'polares Eis' (polar ice), or 'polare Kälte' (polar cold).
EXAMPLE
Nur wenige Pflanzen können im polaren Klima überleben.
Only a few plants can survive in a polar climate.
Register
The meaning of 'polar' in physics and chemistry is purely technical language. It is used almost exclusively in scientific or school texts.
EXAMPLE
Die Polarität eines Lösungsmittels bestimmt, welche Stoffe es lösen kann.
The polarity of a solvent determines which substances it can dissolve.
Compare with
polar vs tropisch
tropical
'tropisch' and 'polar' both refer to large regions of the Earth, but they are located in very different places. 'tropisch' means the hot areas around the equator. 'polar' means the areas at the North Pole or South Pole, where it is very cold. As opposites, the basic idea is simple: 'tropisch' stands for hot and near the equator, while 'polar' stands for very cold and near the poles.
polar
Polare Tiere wie Eisbären sind an sehr kalte Temperaturen angepasst.
Polar animals like polar bears are adapted to very cold temperatures.
tropisch
Milan liest einen Bericht über tropische Wälder in Südamerika.
Milan reads a report about tropical forests in South America.
In real life
Loading video examples...