Why does the noun Regen have the article der?

Most weather phenomena and precipitation types are masculine.

Examples

der Regen (rain), der Schnee (snow), der Hagel (hail), der Nebel (fog), der Frost (frost), der Tau (dew), der Wind (wind), der Sturm (storm), der Donner (thunder), der Blitz (lightning)

Exceptions

die Wolke (cloud), die Sonne (sun)

Declension table for German noun Regen

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Regenein Regenkein Regen
Akkusativden Regeneinen Regenkeinen Regen
Dativdem Regeneinem Regenkeinem Regen
Genitivdes Regenseines Regenskeines Regens

Examples in context

Real sentences using Regen in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der neue Regen ist stark.The new rain is strong.
Ein leichter Regen beginnt.A light rain begins.
Kein starker Regen fällt heute.No strong rain falls today.
Akkusativ
Ich mag den milden Regen.I like the mild rain.
Er erwartet einen kurzen Regen.He expects a short rain.
Wir sehen keinen starken Regen.We see no strong rain.
Dativ
Er arbeitet bei dem starken Regen.He works in the strong rain.
Mit einem leichten Regen ist es kühl.It is cool with a light rain.
Bei keinem starken Regen geht er raus.He doesn't go out in any strong rain.
Genitiv
Die Dauer des starken Regens ist lang.The duration of the strong rain is long.
Die Intensität eines leichten Regens ist gering.The intensity of a light rain is low.
Die Wirkung keines kurzen Regens ist spürbar.The effect of no short rain is noticeable.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Regen?

It is der Regen. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Regen is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What CEFR level is the word Regen?

The German noun Regen is categorized as Beginner (A1) vocabulary. It is considered an essential word for learners at this level.

What is the plural of der Regen?

The plural form of der Regen is die Regen. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does der Regen mean in English?

The German word der Regen translates to “rain” in English.

How do you decline der Regen?

Like all German nouns, Regen changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: der Regen
  • Akkusativ: den Regen
  • Dativ: dem Regen
  • Genitiv: des Regens

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.