German Phrase
Gletscher und Eisschilde schmelzen.
Meaning
The sentence states that glaciers and ice sheets are melting. It is a concise way to describe a key symptom of global climate change, emphasizing the ongoing loss of large ice masses.
When to use
Use this phrase in scientific discussions, news reports, classroom presentations, or any conversation about climate change and environmental issues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
GletscherundEisschildeschmelzen
Noun: Gletscher
Der Gletscher (singular) – plural: die Gletscher. Masculine noun meaning 'glacier'.
Conjunction: und
Connects two nouns, equivalent to 'and' in English.
Noun: Eisschilde
Der Eisschild (singular) – plural: die Eisschilde. Neuter noun meaning 'ice sheet'.
Verb: schmelzen (present, 3rd person plural)
The verb 'schmelzen' means 'to melt'. In present tense, the plural form is 'schmelzen' to match a plural subject.
🗨In Conversation
Gletscher und Eisschilde schmelzen.
Glaciers and ice sheets are melting.
Ja, das ist ein deutliches Zeichen des Klimawandels.
Yes, that's a clear sign of climate change.
✕Common Mistakes
Gletscher und Eisschilde schmilzt.
The verb must agree with the plural subject; 'schmilzt' is singular.
Der Gletscher und Eisschilde schmelzen.
When listing two nouns, each needs its own article if you use articles; otherwise omit them.
↔Alternatives
Gletscher und Eisschilde schmelzen gerade.
Glaciers and ice sheets are melting right now.
Die Gletscher und Eisschilde schmelzen.
The glaciers and ice sheets are melting.
Durch die Erwärmung schmelzen Gletscher und Eisschilde.
Due to warming, glaciers and ice sheets melt.
Cultural Tip
In German scientific discourse, precise terms like 'Eisschilde' (ice sheets) are preferred over more general words such as 'Eis' or 'Eisschichten'. The plural verb form is crucial; German always matches the verb to the grammatical number of the subject, even when the subject is a compound list.