01
der Südosten
southeast
The compass direction that lies exactly halfway between south and east.
example
Der Sturm zog aus Südosten auf.
The storm approached from the southeast.
der Südosten
southeast
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word composition
'Südosten' (southeast) is a compound word made from the two compass directions 'Süden' (south) and 'Osten' (east). All compound compass directions ('Nordwest' (northwest), 'Südwest' (southwest), etc.) work according to this principle.
EXAMPLE
Mein Fenster geht nach Südosten.
My window faces southeast.
Use with article
When a pure direction is meant, no article is usually used. But when referring to a geographic area, the definite article 'der' comes before it.
EXAMPLE
Der Wind kommt aus Südosten.
The wind is coming from the southeast.
Derived adjective
The adjective 'südöstlich' (southeastern / southeastward) can be derived from 'der Südosten' (the southeast). It means 'located in the southeast' or 'in the direction of the southeast'.
EXAMPLE
Die südöstliche Küste ist besonders schön.
The southeastern coast is especially beautiful.
Geographic information
To describe an area, 'Südosten' (southeast) is often used with a genitive construction or the preposition 'von' (of/from).
EXAMPLE
Wir machen Urlaub im Südosten von Frankreich.
We are vacationing in the southeast of France.
Compare with
Südosten vs Osten
east
'der Osten' and 'der Südosten' can both refer to a direction or to part of an area. 'der Osten' is the general eastern direction or the eastern area. 'der Südosten' lies between south and east and is more specific. The words can be confused because 'Südosten' also refers to an eastern part. If the southern location is not important, you simply say 'der Osten'. If something is both eastern and southern, 'der Südosten' is a better fit.
Südosten
Clara nimmt die Straße in den Südosten, weil dort weniger Verkehr ist.
Clara takes the road to the southeast because there is less traffic there.
Osten
Wegen der Arbeit fährt Mehmet oft in den Osten der Region.
Because of work, Mehmet often drives to the east of the region.
In real life
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