01
der Schneefall
snowfall
The falling of snow from the clouds as a meteorological event.
example
Der Wetterbericht hat für die Nacht starken Schneefall angekündigt.
The weather forecast announced heavy snowfall for the night.
der Schneefall
snowfall
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a clear compound of 'der Schnee' (snow) and 'der Fall' (fall). Here, 'Fall' comes from the verb 'fallen' (to fall). So it literally describes the falling of snow.
EXAMPLE
Kinder freuen sich immer über den ersten Schneefall im Winter.
Children are always happy about the first snowfall in winter.
Typical adjectives
'Schneefall' (snowfall) is very often combined with adjectives that describe its intensity. Typical phrases are 'starker' (heavy), 'leichter' (light), 'heftiger' (severe/heavy), or 'plötzlicher' (sudden) snowfall.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des plötzlichen, starken Schneefalls kam es zu langen Staus.
Because of the sudden, heavy snowfall, there were long traffic jams.
Use with 'wegen'
To express a reason, 'Schneefall' (snowfall) is frequently used with the preposition 'wegen' (because of) and the genitive. This is typical in news reports or official announcements.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des anhaltenden Schneefalls bleiben die Schulen morgen geschlossen.
Because of the ongoing snowfall, schools will remain closed tomorrow.
Compare with
Schneefall vs Schnee
snow
'Schnee' and 'Schneefall' are closely related, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. 'Schnee' is the material itself: the white flakes in the air or the white layer on the ground. 'Schneefall' mainly means the process of snow falling from the clouds, or the amount of snow that has fallen in a period of time. Learners may confuse the words because both are used when talking about the weather. In practical terms: you see Schnee on the street, but in the weather forecast people often talk about Schneefall.
Schneefall
Am Abend wurde der Schneefall stärker, und viele Züge hatten Verspätung.
In the evening, the snowfall became heavier, and many trains were delayed.
Schnee
Auf dem Parkplatz liegt so viel Schnee, dass die Autos kaum herauskommen.
There is so much snow in the parking lot that the cars can hardly get out.
In real life
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