German Phrase
Das Datum ist am 4. Juli.
Meaning
This sentence is a straightforward way to identify a specific calendar day for an event or appointment. It utilizes the neuter noun 'Datum' and the preposition 'am' which is essential for specifying days and dates in German.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are confirming a schedule, setting a deadline, or clarifying when a specific holiday occurs. It is common in both formal office settings and casual social planning.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Das Datumistam4.Juli
Das Datum
A neuter noun. In German, all nouns are capitalized, and 'das' is the definite article for neuter words.
am
This is a contraction of 'an dem'. It is the standard preposition used for days of the week and specific calendar dates.
4.
The dot after the number turns it into an ordinal number. After 'am', the ending '-en' is added to the spoken word: 'vierten'.
🗨In Conversation
Wann findet das Konzert statt?
When is the concert taking place?
Das Datum ist am 4. Juli.
The date is on July 4th.
✕Common Mistakes
Das Datum ist in 4. Juli.
In German, specific dates always use the preposition 'am' (a contraction of 'an dem'), never 'in'.
Das Datum ist am 4 Juli.
Ordinal numbers in German must be followed by a period (4.) to indicate 'fourth' rather than just the cardinal number 'four'.
↔Alternatives
Es ist der vierte Juli.
It is the fourth of July.
Der Termin ist am vierten Juli.
The appointment is on the fourth of July.
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking countries, dates are almost always written in the Day-Month-Year format (04.07.2024). Also, remember that while July 4th is a significant holiday in the United States, it is a normal working day in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.