In German
Herbst
Meaning: autumn
Formal or informal? “Herbst” is autumn, the season. The word also means harvest, which is where it comes from.
Example sentences
Im Herbst fallen die Blätter.
In autumn the leaves fall.
Der Herbst ist meine Lieblingszeit.
Autumn is my favourite time of year.
Im Herbst wird es früher dunkel.
In autumn it gets dark earlier.
Grammar note
“Der Herbst” is masculine, so it takes “der” and “ein”. For “in autumn” use “im Herbst”, the dative of “in dem”.
Common mistake
Don't say “in Herbst” or “im die Herbst”. Use “im Herbst” for in autumn. The word is “der Herbst”, masculine.
Quick check
Which German word means “autumn”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do you say “in autumn” in German?
“Im Herbst”, with “im” as a contraction of “in dem”.
Is “Herbst” masculine or feminine?
Masculine: “der Herbst”.