Sonnenschein
/ˈzɔnənʃaɪ̯n/masculine
The German word for sunshine is Sonnenschein.
Sonnenschein refers to the direct rays of the sun. Similar to English, it can be used metaphorically to describe a person, such as saying Sie ist ein Sonnenschein (She is a sunshine) to mean she is a ray of sunshine. It is also used as a term of endearment for someone like a child or a partner.
Meaning: direct rays of the sun (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Sonne (sun) and Schein (shine or glow).
Which one should you use?
While Sonnenschein often implies pleasant, bright weather, the word Sonnenlicht is the more technical term used to describe the physical light emitted by the sun.
How does it change in a sentence?
Sonnenschein is a masculine noun, so it takes the definite article der (e.g., der Sonnenschein).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɔnənʃaɪ̯n/
When do people say it?
In a social context, you can use Sonnenschein as a warm term of endearment for loved ones.
Did you know?
- The word Schein in Sonnenschein does not just mean 'shine' as in light, but can also mean a 'certificate' or 'document', such as a Führerschein for a driver's license.
- Unlike the English 'sunshine', which is almost always positive, calling someone a Sonnenschein can occasionally be used sarcastically if the person is actually being grumpy or unpleasant.
- Because Schein can also mean 'illusion' or 'appearance', the word Sonnenschein contains a linguistic root that can imply something that is not quite real.
Examples in context
- Wir haben hier Sonnenschein.We've got sunshine here.This sentence shows how to state that there is sunshine in a specific location.Tatoeba #12508664 by Waldelfe, translation #12506750 by sundown
- Guten Morgen, mein Sonnenschein!Good morning, sunshine!This sentence demonstrates using Sonnenschein as a greeting and a term of endearment.Tatoeba #12651442 by Waldelfe, translation #11531555 by shekitten
- Komm und genieße den Sonnenschein.Come and enjoy the sunshine.This sentence illustrates the use of the word when suggesting someone enjoy the sunshine.Tatoeba #1770089 by al_ex_an_der, translation #10515893 by sundown
- Das Licht der Sonne bringt Sonnenschein in mein Leben.The light of the sun brings sunshine into my life.
- Welch strahlendes Sonnenlicht heute!What radiant sunshine today!
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are deciding where to sit at a cafe.
- HannahSetzen wir uns in den Sonnenschein?Shall we sit in the sunshine?
- JulianJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
- HannahHier ist der Sonnenschein wirklich warm.The sunshine is really warm here.
- JulianDas stimmt, Julian genießt das Wetter.That's true, Julian is enjoying the weather.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunshine” translations and entries Sonnenschein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
