die Sonne
sun
The star at the center of our solar system that gives the Earth light and warmth.
EXAMPLE
Heute scheint die Sonne den ganzen Tag.
The sun is shining all day today.
die Sonne
sun
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Meanings
die Sonne
sunshine
The light and warmth emitted by the sun.
EXAMPLE
Setz dich doch ein bisschen in die Sonne, aber vergiss die Sonnencreme nicht.
Why don't you sit in the sun for a bit, but don't forget the sunscreen.
die Sonne
sun
In astronomy, the term for any star that is the center of a planetary system.
EXAMPLE
Astronomen haben einen Planeten entdeckt, der um eine ferne Sonne kreist.
Astronomers have discovered a planet that orbits a distant sun.
die Sonne
ray of sunshine
Figuratively, a person or thing perceived as a source of great joy, happiness, or brilliance.
EXAMPLE
Für ihre Großeltern war das Enkelkind die reinste Sonne.
For her grandparents, the grandchild was a true ray of sunshine.
Usage tips
Prepositions
The prepositions used with 'Sonne' (sun) show an important difference: 'in die Sonne' (into the sun, accusative) describes movement, while 'in der Sonne' (in the sun, dative) describes a place or state.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns unsere Stühle in die Sonne stellen.
Let's put our chairs in the sun.
Word component
The word 'Sonne' (sun) is a very productive component of many compound nouns related to sunlight or warmth. When you see 'Sonnen-' (sun-), it is usually about the sun.
EXAMPLE
Vergiss deine Sonnenbrille nicht, es ist sehr hell draußen.
Don't forget your sunglasses; it's very bright outside.
Typical verbs
In the astronomical meaning, 'Sonne' (sun) is often combined with three basic verbs of the daily cycle: Die Sonne geht auf (the sun rises), sie scheint (it shines), and sie geht unter (it sets).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen früh aufstehen, wenn wir sehen wollen, wie die Sonne aufgeht.
We have to get up early if we want to see the sun rise.
Typical activities
When talking about sunlight, 'Sonne' (sun) is often connected with relaxing activities. Typical phrases are 'in der Sonne liegen' (to lie in the sun), 'in der Sonne sitzen' (to sit in the sun), or 'sich sonnen' (to sunbathe).
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub möchte ich am liebsten den ganzen Tag in der Sonne liegen und lesen.
On vacation, what I'd like most is to lie in the sun all day and read.
Context clue
The meaning 'star' is almost exclusively limited to astronomical or science-fiction contexts. Words like 'Planet' (planet), 'Galaxie' (galaxy), or 'entdecken' (to discover) point to this usage.
EXAMPLE
Der neu entdeckte Planet umkreist eine Sonne, die viel größer ist als unsere.
The newly discovered planet orbits a sun that is much larger than ours.
Compare with
Sonne vs Stern
star
Sonne and Stern can refer to the same celestial body. Stern classifies it generally as a self-luminous celestial body. Sonne is what it is called from the perspective of a planetary system when it is at the system's center.
Sonne
Für die Planeten dieses fernen Systems ist der helle Himmelskörper ihre Sonne.
For the planets of this distant system, the bright celestial body is their sun.
Stern
Aus astronomischer Sicht ist derselbe helle Himmelskörper ein Stern.
From an astronomical perspective, the same bright celestial body is a star.
In real life
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