German Phrase
Es ist bewölkt.
Meaning
A short, factual statement that the sky is covered with clouds. It is used to describe the current weather condition without any extra detail.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks ‘Wie ist das Wetter?’ (How’s the weather?) or when you want to comment on the sky while walking, driving, or planning outdoor activities.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Esistbewölkt
Dummy subject ‘Es’
In German weather statements the pronoun ‘es’ doesn’t refer to anything concrete; it simply fulfills the grammatical requirement for a subject.
Verb ‘sein’ (to be)
‘ist’ is the 3rd‑person singular present of ‘sein’. It links the subject with a predicative adjective.
Predicative adjective ‘bewölkt’
When an adjective follows ‘sein’, it stays in its base form (no article, no ending) and describes the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Wie ist das Wetter heute?
How’s the weather today?
Es ist bewölkt.
It’s cloudy.
✕Common Mistakes
Es ist bewölktes.
The adjective stays uninflected after ‘sein’; don’t add the –es ending.
Es ist ein bewölkt.
No article is used before a predicative adjective.
Ist bewölkt.
The dummy subject ‘es’ is required in German weather statements.
↔Alternatives
Der Himmel ist bewölkt.
The sky is cloudy.
Es ist bedeckt.
It is overcast.
Es ist wolkig.
It’s cloudy (colloquial).
Cultural Tip
Talking about the weather is a favorite ice‑breaker in German‑speaking countries. ‘Bewölkt’ sounds a bit more formal or written; in everyday speech many Germans say ‘wolkig’ or ‘bedeckt’. In Austria you’ll hear ‘bedeckt’ even more often. Adjust your choice depending on the setting – formal news reports vs. casual chat with friends.