daylight saving time / summertime
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daylight saving time
The period of time (usually from spring to autumn) during which clocks are set forward by one hour in order to make better use of daylight in the evening.
Vergiss nicht, am Sonntag beginnt die Sommerzeit und die Uhren werden eine Stunde vorgestellt.
Don't forget, daylight saving time begins on Sunday and the clocks are set forward by one hour.
summertime
The summer season in general.
Die Sommerzeit ist ideal für lange Abende im Freien und Grillpartys.
Summertime is ideal for long evenings outdoors and barbecues.
The word is a simple compound of 'der Sommer' (summer) and 'die Zeit' (time). Literally, it means 'summer time,' which is the basis for both meanings.
Ich freue mich jedes Jahr auf die Sommerzeit.
I look forward to summertime every year.
You can recognize the difference from the context. If it is about changing the clocks, it means the official time change. If it is about the weather, vacations, or the general season, it means summer itself.
Die Umstellung auf die Sommerzeit findet immer in der Nacht von Samstag auf Sonntag statt.
The change to daylight saving time always takes place during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
In connection with the time change, 'Sommerzeit' is often used with verbs such as 'einführen' (to introduce), 'beginnen' (to begin), or the noun 'die Umstellung' (the changeover). A typical action is 'die Uhr umstellen' (to change the clock).
Am Wochenende werden die Uhren auf Sommerzeit umgestellt.
This weekend, the clocks will be changed to daylight saving time.
summer
Sommer and Sommerzeit can both refer to the warm season. In everyday German, people usually say im Sommer. Zur Sommerzeit refers to the same period but sounds more stylistically marked and is used more often in descriptive or ceremonial texts.
Zur Sommerzeit sitzen viele Gäste draußen im Garten.
In summertime, many guests sit outside in the garden.
Im Sommer sitzen viele Gäste draußen im Garten.
In summer, many guests sit outside in the garden.
