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
der Sonnenstrahl
ray of sunshine
In a figurative sense, something or someone that brings joy, hope, or comfort into a difficult situation.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Lächeln war ein Sonnenstrahl an diesem grauen Tag.
Her smile was a ray of sunshine on that gray day.
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 Sonnenlicht
sunlight
Both words refer to light that comes from the sun. „Sonnenlicht“ means natural light as a whole, while a „Sonnenstrahl“ refers to a single, directed, visible ray of light. „Sonnenlicht“ is appropriate for general brightness, while „Sonnenstrahl“ is used for a single strip of light.
Sonnenstrahl
Am Morgen fiel ein Sonnenstrahl durch das Fenster ins Zimmer.
In the morning, a sunbeam came through the window into the room.
Sonnenlicht
Am Morgen fiel Sonnenlicht durch das Fenster ins Zimmer.
In the morning, sunlight came through the window into the room.
In real life
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