der Süden
south
One of the four main compass directions, opposite north.
EXAMPLE
Unser Garten ist nach Süden ausgerichtet und bekommt viel Sonne.
Our garden faces south and gets a lot of sun.
der Süden
south
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Meanings
der Süden
south
The southern part of a country, continent, or region, often associated with a warmer climate.
EXAMPLE
Viele Deutsche verbringen ihren Sommerurlaub im Süden Europas.
Many Germans spend their summer vacation in the south of Europe.
der globale Süden
Global South
A socioeconomic and political term for the economically less developed countries of the world, which are often, but not exclusively, located in the Southern Hemisphere.
EXAMPLE
Die Klimakrise trifft die Länder des globalen Südens besonders hart.
The climate crisis is hitting the countries of the Global South particularly hard.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Süden' (the south) belongs to a word family. Derived from it are the adjective 'südlich' (southern) and the prefix 'Süd-' in many compound words such as 'Süddeutschland' (southern Germany) or 'Südfrüchte' (tropical fruits).
EXAMPLE
Die südliche Küste ist besonders bei Touristen beliebt.
The southern coast is especially popular with tourists.
Direction or place?
The preposition changes depending on usage: 'nach Süden' describes the pure compass direction. 'In den Süden' describes movement into a southern region. 'Im Süden' describes being in that region.
EXAMPLE
Die Vögel fliegen im Herbst nach Süden.
The birds fly south in autumn.
Cultural context
In German usage, 'der Süden' (the south) often has positive associations and is connected with vacation, sun, warmth, and a relaxed way of life. It usually refers to the Mediterranean region.
EXAMPLE
Ich sehne mich nach Sonne und fahre über Ostern in den Süden.
I'm longing for sun and am going south over Easter.
Fixed term
The term 'der globale Süden' (the Global South) is a fixed socioeconomic term. It is used in discussions about politics, economics, and global inequality and should not be confused with the geographical meaning.
EXAMPLE
In der Konferenz wurde über die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung des globalen Südens diskutiert.
At the conference, they discussed the economic development of the Global South.
Compare with
Süden vs Süd
south
„Der Süden“ is the usual term for the compass direction. „Der Süd“ can also refer to the same direction, but it usually sounds terse or marked, for example in a course instruction. In an ordinary sentence about the direction, „Süden“ is therefore usually used; „Süd“ can work in fixed expressions.
Süden
Das Schiff fährt nach Süden, weil dort der nächste Hafen liegt.
The ship is sailing south because the next port is there.
Süd
Der Kapitän gab den kurzen Befehl: Kurs Süd!
The captain gave the brief command: “Course south!”
In real life
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