Deutsch · A1 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Months and seasons
Organize dates with im for months and seasons.
Understand the choice
Months and seasons give a broad calendar frame. Tie each one to a typical plan or condition, then retain verb-second order when the time phrase begins the sentence.
Core rule: Use im + month or season; im is in dem, and time phrases can trigger verb-subject inversion.
Notice it in context
Im Juli fahren wir ans Meer, und im Winter bleiben wir zu Hause.
In July we travel to the sea, and in winter we stay at home.
Im Juli and im Winter occupy first position; fahren and bleiben follow immediately.
Der Frühling beginnt im März.
Spring begins in March.
Frühling is the subject; im März locates its beginning.
Im Herbst ist der Oktober oft regnerisch.
In autumn October is often rainy.
Herbst and Oktober appear in two different time and subject roles.
What to remember
- German month and season names are masculine: der Juli, der Winter.
- Zu Hause means at home; nach Hause means toward home.
Common trap: Do not use am before a month. Say im April, but am Montag.