German word

sonnen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzɔnən/

Meaning

  • verbsunbathe

Example

Ich sonne mich am Strand.

I sunbathe on the beach.

Illustration for sonnen (sunbathe)

More examples

Am Sonntag sonnt er sich im Garten.

On Sunday, he sunbathes in the garden.

Core concept

A person rests in warm sunlight while the skin gradually takes on a darker tone.

Common phrases

  • sich sonnen

    sunbathe

  • sich auf dem Balkon sonnen

    sunbathe on the balcony

Similar words

bräunen: Spend time in the sun to make the skin darker.
aalen: Stretch out and relax in a sunny spot.

Definition in German

durch Aufenthalt in der Sonne Wärme aufnehmen und dabei die Haut bräunen; meist reflexiv gebraucht.

Word origin

The verb is formed from German Sonne, meaning sun, with the verb-forming suffix -en.

Usage tips

  • In ordinary use, sonnen is reflexive, as in Ich sonne mich, so the pronoun changes with the subject.

Other meanings

  • bask in the sunverb
  • get a tanverb

Opposites

Related words

  • sonnigsunnyadjective
  • Sonnenbadsunbathnoun
  • Sonnencremesunscreennoun

Word lists with this word