German Phrase
Die Dachrinnen sind voller Laub.
Meaning
The sentence states that the gutters (the channels that collect rainwater from a roof) are completely filled with fallen leaves. It conveys a visual picture of a clogged gutter, often after the autumn leaf‑fall season.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are describing the condition of a house’s gutters, especially after autumn, during a home‑maintenance conversation, or when warning someone about a potential water‑damage risk.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DieDachrinnensindvollerLaub.
Definite article (plural nominative)
‘Die’ is the plural nominative form of the definite article, used here because ‘Dachrinnen’ is plural.
Plural noun
‘Dachrinnen’ (gutter) is a feminine noun; its plural ends in -n.
Verb ‘sein’ (3rd person plural)
‘sind’ is the present‑tense 3rd‑person plural of ‘sein’, matching the plural subject.
Adjective ‘voll’ with genitive
When ‘voll’ is used as a predicative adjective, it governs the genitive case: ‘voller Laub’ = ‘full of leaves’.
Genitive noun ‘Laub’
‘Laub’ is a neuter noun; in the genitive it stays unchanged (Laub).
🗨In Conversation
Die Dachrinnen sind voller Laub.
The gutters are full of leaves.
Dann sollten wir sie gleich reinigen, sonst kann das Wasser überlaufen.
Then we should clean them right away, otherwise the water could overflow.
✕Common Mistakes
Die Dachrinnen sind voll von Laub.
‘Voll von’ is a colloquial construction; the standard predicative form after ‘sein’ uses the genitive: ‘voller’ + genitive.
Die Dachrinnen ist voller Laub.
The verb must agree with the plural subject ‘Dachrinnen’. Use ‘sind’, not ‘ist’.
Die Dachrinnen sind voller Laube.
‘Laube’ means ‘arbor’ or ‘bower’; the correct noun for leaves is ‘Laub’.
↔Alternatives
Die Regenrinnen sind mit Laub gefüllt.
The rain gutters are filled with leaves.
In den Dachrinnen liegt viel Laub.
There is a lot of leaves in the gutters.
Die Dachrinnen sind von Laub verstopft.
The gutters are clogged with leaves.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries, autumn leaf‑fall is taken seriously because clogged gutters can cause costly water damage. Many homeowners schedule a "Herbstreinigung" (autumn cleaning) of roofs and gutters, and neighbours often help each other. Using the genitive after ‘voll’ (voller Laub) sounds more formal and native‑like than the colloquial ‘voll von Laub’.