Sonnenaufgang
/ˈzɔnənˌaʊ̯fɡaŋ/masculine
The German word for sunrise is Sonnenaufgang.
Sonnenaufgang is used to refer to the time of day when the sun appears. It is the most commonly used word for sunrise in German. You can use it in descriptive phrases, such as ein atemberaubender Sonnenaufgang (a breathtaking sunrise) or der friedliche Sonnenaufgang (the peaceful sunrise).
Meaning: time of day (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Sonne, meaning sun and Aufgang, meaning rise or ascent.
How does it change in a sentence?
Sonnenaufgang is a masculine noun. The plural form is Sonnenaufgänge. To show possession in the singular, use the genitive form Sonnenaufgangs. Because it is masculine, it takes the accusative article den when it functions as the direct object of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɔnənˌaʊ̯fɡaŋ/
Did you know?
- The structure of Sonnenaufgang is an almost identical twin to the Old English 'sunnan upgang', meaning the way Germans describe a sunrise today is nearly identical to how English speakers did over a thousand years ago.
- The 'n' in the middle of Sonnenaufgang is a linking element called a 'Fugen-n', which helps glue compound nouns together to make them easier to pronounce.
- German has a specific term Frühaufsteher for a 'morning bird' or early riser, a person whose day begins with the Sonnenaufgang.
Examples in context
- Warten wir bis Sonnenaufgang!Let's wait until sunrise.This sentence shows how to use Sonnenaufgang to indicate a point in time.Tatoeba #12495639 by Waldelfe, translation #12493302 by sundown
- Tom war vor Sonnenaufgang hier.Tom was here before sunrise.This sentence shows how to use Sonnenaufgang to indicate a time before an event.Tatoeba #5256745 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5255791 by CK
- Der Hahn kräht am Sonnenaufgang.The rooster crows at sunrise.This sentence shows how to use Sonnenaufgang to indicate a specific time of day.Tatoeba #12089150 by Augustus, translation #895240 by metalserfo
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are watching the horizon from a balcony.
- MaximilianDer Sonnenaufgang ist wunderschön.The sunrise is beautiful.
- HannahJa, das Licht ist magisch.Yes, the light is magical.
- MaximilianSollen wir ein Foto machen?Should we take a photo?
- HannahGute Idee, Maximilian.Good idea, Maximilian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunrise” translations and entries Sonnenaufgang, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sonnenaufgang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
