01
regnen
to rain
The falling of water droplets from the clouds. The verb is usually used impersonally with 'es' (it).
example
Wenn es morgen nicht regnet, machen wir einen Ausflug.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go on a trip.
regnen
to rain
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'regnen' (to rain) is the action that leads to the noun 'der Regen' (rain). When it rains, rain falls from the sky.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des starken Regens mussten wir drinnen bleiben.
Because of the heavy rain, we had to stay indoors.
Impersonal verb
In its literal meaning, 'regnen' (to rain) is an impersonal verb. It is almost always used with the formal subject 'es' (it). You say 'Es regnet' (It is raining), not 'Der Himmel regnet' (The sky is raining).
EXAMPLE
Gestern hat es den ganzen Tag geregnet.
Yesterday it rained all day.
Typical collocations
To describe the intensity of the rain, you can use adverbs. Common combinations are 'stark regnen' (to rain heavily), 'leicht regnen' (to rain lightly), or the idiom 'in Strömen regnen' (to pour with rain).
EXAMPLE
Als wir aus dem Kino kamen, regnete es in Strömen.
When we came out of the cinema, it was pouring with rain.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, no water falls; instead, a large amount of something else comes in. The context makes this clear, for example when criticism, prizes, or compliments 'regnet' (rain down).
EXAMPLE
Nach seinem Sieg regnete es Glückwünsche von allen Seiten.
After his victory, congratulations rained down from all sides.
Compare with
regnen vs giessen
to water / pour
'giessen' and 'regnen' can both describe weather with water coming from above. 'regnen' is the normal word for water droplets falling from the clouds. In this context, 'giessen' is used only for very heavy rain, usually impersonally: 'Es gießt.' It sounds stronger and a bit more figurative than 'es regnet'. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in rainy weather. For normal weather, you say 'es regnet'; for very heavy rain, you say 'es gießt'.
regnen
Am Bahnhof warten viele Leute, weil es seit einer Stunde regnet.
Many people are waiting at the train station because it has been raining for an hour.
giessen
Heute gießt es so stark, dass wir lieber zu Hause bleiben.
It's pouring so hard today that we'd rather stay at home.
In real life
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