01
der Sonnenstrahl
sunbeam
A single, visible ray of light that comes from the sun.
example
Ein Sonnenstrahl fiel durch das Fenster und wärmte den Raum.
A sunbeam fell through the window and warmed the room.
der Sonnenstrahl
sunbeam
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'die Sonne' (the sun) and 'der Strahl' (the ray/beam). The article of the whole word is determined by the last noun, so 'der Strahl'.
EXAMPLE
Der letzte Sonnenstrahl des Tages verschwand hinter den Bergen.
The last sunbeam of the day disappeared behind the mountains.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'Sonnenstrahl' is often combined with verbs of movement or appearance. Typical phrases are: 'ein Sonnenstrahl fällt durch' (a sunbeam falls through), 'bricht durch die Wolken' (breaks through the clouds), or 'trifft auf' (hits/strikes).
EXAMPLE
Ein warmer Sonnenstrahl traf mein Gesicht.
A warm sunbeam hit my face.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning when 'Sonnenstrahl' describes a person or an abstract thing like hope or joy. It often appears in the combination 'ein Sonnenstrahl der/für ...' (a ray of sunshine of/for ...).
EXAMPLE
Sein Besuch war ein Sonnenstrahl der Hoffnung für die ganze Familie.
His visit was a ray of sunshine of hope for the whole family.
Compare with
Sonnenstrahl vs Sonnenschein
sunshine
'Sonnenschein' and 'Sonnenstrahl' can both have to do with light from the sun. 'Sonnenschein' means bright sunlight in general, so more the whole situation with sun. 'Sonnenstrahl' means a single ray that you can often see or imagine, for example through a window. Both words can also be used figuratively: a 'Sonnenschein' is a cheerful person, while a 'Sonnenstrahl' is something or someone that brings hope or joy. They are easy to confuse because both sound positive and bright. For generally nice weather, 'Sonnenschein' fits; for a single streak of light, 'Sonnenstrahl' fits.
Sonnenstrahl
Ein einzelner Sonnenstrahl fiel morgens auf den Küchentisch.
A single sunbeam fell onto the kitchen table in the morning.
Sonnenschein
Nina ist für ihre Familie ein echter Sonnenschein.
Nina is a real ray of sunshine for her family.
In real life
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