German Phrase
Ja, es ist total schwül.
Meaning
The speaker is confirming that the weather is extremely muggy and uncomfortable. ‘Total’ adds emphasis, making the statement stronger than a simple ‘es ist schwül’. It’s a typical, informal way to talk about hot, humid days.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks about the weather, or when you want to comment on a stifling summer day. It works in casual conversation with friends, family, or colleagues, especially in the afternoon when the heat peaks.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jaesisttotalschwül
Ja (affirmation)
Used at the beginning of a sentence to confirm or agree with a previous statement.
es ist (impersonal construction)
‘es’ is a dummy subject; ‘ist’ is the 3rd‑person singular of ‘sein’ used to describe weather or general states.
total (intensifier)
Colloquial adverb meaning ‘completely’ or ‘totally’, often placed before an adjective.
schwül (adjective)
Describes hot, humid, and slightly oppressive weather. It can also be used figuratively for a stifling atmosphere.
🗨In Conversation
Wie ist das Wetter heute?
How's the weather today?
Ja, es ist total schwül.
Yes, it's totally muggy.
✕Common Mistakes
Ja, es ist total schwüllich.
‘schwüllich’ is not a German word; use ‘schwül’ alone.
Ja, es ist sehr total schwül.
‘sehr’ and ‘total’ together are redundant; pick one intensifier.
Ja, es sind total schwül.
‘es’ is singular, so the verb must be ‘ist’, not ‘sind’.
↔Alternatives
Ja, es ist sehr schwül.
Yes, it’s very muggy.
Ja, es ist richtig schwül.
Yes, it’s really muggy.
Ja, es ist ziemlich schwül.
Yes, it’s quite muggy.
Cultural Tip
Germans love to talk about the weather, and ‘schwül’ is the go‑to word for that sticky, humid heat you feel in midsummer. It’s usually used in informal settings; in a formal report you’d say ‘die Luftfeuchtigkeit ist hoch’ or ‘es herrscht schwüles Wetter’. Also, avoid mixing ‘schwül’ with ‘kalt’ – they’re opposites and sound odd together.