German word

Mai

Pronunciation

IPA/maɪ̯/

Meaning

  • masculine nounMay

Example

Wir fahren im Mai ans Meer.

We're going to the seaside in May.

Illustration for Mai (May)

More examples

Am 1. Mai sind viele Geschäfte geschlossen.

On May 1, many shops are closed.

Core concept

A bright late-spring page on a calendar, opening a season of green landscapes and outdoor plans.

Common phrases

  • am 1. Mai

    on May 1

  • Ende Mai

    at the end of May

  • im Mai

    in May

Similar words

Monat: A calendar period lasting about four weeks.
Frühling: The warming season from around March through May.
Juni: The sixth month of the year.
April: The fourth month of the year.

Definition in German

Mai bezeichnet den fünften Monat des Jahres und wird im Alltag oft mit dem Frühlingsanfang assoziiert.

Word origin

The German month name Mai is a historical borrowing from Latin Maius, which also underlies English May.

Usage tips

  • Anfang Mai and Ende Mai usually appear without an article, unlike the fixed phrase im Mai for a time during the month.

Related words

  • MaifeiertagMay Daynoun
  • MaifestMay festivalnoun

Word lists with this word