die Sonnenuhr
sundial
A device that uses the shadow of the sun to show the time of day.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Marktplatz steht eine alte Sonnenuhr.
There is an old sundial in the marketplace.
die Sonnenuhr
sundial
die Sonnenuhr, die Sonnenuhren
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Sonnenuhr, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Sonnenuhren |
| genitive | der Sonnenuhr |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Sonnenuhr | die Sonnenuhren |
| accusative | die Sonnenuhr | die Sonnenuhren |
| dative | der Sonnenuhr | den Sonnenuhren |
| genitive | der Sonnenuhr | der Sonnenuhren |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound words
'Sonnenuhr' (sundial) is made up of 'Sonne' (sun) and 'Uhr' (clock). The base word 'Uhr' shows that it is a device for telling the time; 'Sonne' describes how it works.
EXAMPLE
Im Garten wurde eine kunstvolle Sonnenuhr aufgestellt.
An ornate sundial was installed in the garden.
Typical collocations
The verbs 'aufstellen' (to set up), 'bauen' (to build), and 'ablesen' (to read) are often used with 'Sonnenuhr' (sundial). For the time shown, the phrase 'die Zeit an einer Sonnenuhr ablesen' (to read the time from a sundial) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Die Besucher konnten die Zeit an der Sonnenuhr ablesen.
The visitors were able to read the time from the sundial.
Historical context
'Sonnenuhr' (sundial) often appears in descriptions of old squares, gardens, and historic buildings. Such clocks are usually decorative and today often also serve as cultural or historical objects.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem alten Kloster steht eine steinerne Sonnenuhr.
There is a stone sundial in front of the old monastery.
In real life
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