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
regnen
to rain down
Used figuratively for the falling or arrival of a large amount of something.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Ankündigung regnete es Kritik von allen Seiten.
After the announcement, criticism rained down from all sides.
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 pinkeln
to pee / to drizzle
Both words can describe light rain. “Regnen” is the neutral and generally appropriate term, whereas “pinkeln” sounds crude and colloquial in this figurative sense. Use “regnen” in a normal weather description; “pinkeln” is more likely to be heard jokingly or in very casual conversation.
regnen
Heute regnet es nur leicht, deshalb nehmen wir keinen Regenschirm mit.
It's only raining lightly today, so we're not taking an umbrella.
pinkeln
Mein Nachbar sagt scherzhaft, dass es heute nur ein bisschen pinkelt.
My neighbor jokes that it's only peeing a little today.
In real life
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