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German Phrase

Findest du, dass dieser Winter mild ist?

/ˈfɪn.dəst duː das ˈdiːzɐ ˈvɪn.tɚ ˈmiːlt ɪst/
Meaning"Do you think this winter is mild?"
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Meaning

The sentence asks the listener for their opinion about the current winter’s temperature, specifically whether it feels mild compared to a typical German winter. The speaker expects a subjective answer rather than a factual weather report.

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When to use

Use this question when chatting with friends, classmates, or coworkers about the weather, especially after a series of unusually warm days. It works well in informal settings and can also be a polite ice‑breaker in a classroom discussion about climate patterns.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Findestdu,dassdieserWintermildist?

1

Verb‑Subject Inversion in Yes/No Questions

In German yes/no questions the finite verb moves to first position, followed directly by the subject (e.g., *Findest du*).

2

Subordinate Clause with *dass*

*dass* introduces a dependent clause; the verb moves to the end of that clause (*…mild ist*).

3

Demonstrative Article *dieser*

*dieser* agrees in gender, case, and number with *Winter* (masculine nominative singular).

4

Predicative Adjective *mild*

When an adjective follows *sein* as a predicate, it stays in its base form without an ending.

5

Comma Before *dass*

German requires a comma before a subordinate clause introduced by *dass*.

🗨In Conversation

A

Findest du, dass dieser Winter mild ist?

Do you think this winter is mild?

Ja, ich finde ihn viel wärmer als die letzten Jahre.

Yes, I think it’s much warmer than in recent years.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Findest du das dieser Winter mild ist?

    Missing comma and using *das* instead of *dass* changes the meaning; *dass* introduces a subordinate clause.

  • Findest du, dass diesem Winter mild ist?

    The demonstrative article must match the nominative case of the subject; *dieser* is correct, not *diesem*.

  • Findest du, dass dieser Winter milde ist?

    When used predicatively after *sein*, the adjective stays uninflected. *milde* would be an attributive form.

↔Alternatives

  • Glaubst du, dass dieser Winter mild ist?

    Do you believe this winter is mild?

  • Wie empfindest du das Wetter im Winter dieses Jahres?

    How do you feel about the weather this winter?

  • Ist dieser Winter für dich mild?

    Is this winter mild for you?

de

Cultural Tip

Germans often talk about the weather as a social lubricant. In northern Germany, a "milder" winter (above 0 °C on average) is noteworthy and may spark jokes about climate change. Avoid sounding overly critical; a neutral tone keeps the conversation friendly. In formal contexts, you might replace *du* with *Sie* – *Finden Sie, dass dieser Winter mild ist?*