Kälte

noun
cold
B1

Means cold (the state of coldness, chill) as a noun, not the adjective 'kalt'. Noun: die Kälte. Plural: Kälten (rare; usually uncountable). Declension regular. Used in expressions like 'vor Kälte zittern' or 'Kälteeinbruch'. No special preposition or reflexivity. Contrast with 'kalt' adjective usage.

Examples

Wegen der Kälte blieben die Straßen leer, obwohl die Geschäfte geöffnet waren.
Because of the cold, the streets remained empty, although the shops were open.
Die Kälte im Winter kann sehr unangenehm sein.
The cold in winter can be very unpleasant.
Die Kälte machte mir zu schaffen.
The cold was getting to me.

Details

PluralKälten

Declension

CaseSingularPlural
nominativedie Kältedie Kälten
genitiveder Kälteder Kälten
dativeder Kälteden Kälten
accusativedie Kältedie Kälten

Mnemonics

👁️imagine visible breath and frosty air to remember the noun for coldness
👂think 'cold' in English to link meaning quickly
⚧️die = associate with other feminine abstract nouns like 'die Hitze' or 'die Kälte'

Notes

Often used as an uncountable noun (die Kälte). Plural 'Kälten' exists but is rare; usually spoken about as a general condition.

Category

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