German Phrase
Regnet's heute?
Meaning
Literally ‘Is it raining today?’. It’s a casual way to ask about the weather, especially when you’re planning an outdoor activity or just making small‑talk.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversations with friends, family, or colleagues when you want to know if it will rain later in the day. It’s perfect for quick weather checks before leaving the house or when chatting on a coffee break.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Regnet'sheute?
Regnet (verb)
‘regnen’ is an impersonal verb; it is conjugated in the 3rd person singular (regnet) because the subject is the weather.
's (contraction)
‘'s’ is the spoken contraction of ‘es’, the dummy pronoun used with impersonal verbs like regnen.
heute
Adverb meaning ‘today’; placed after the verb phrase in most German questions.
Question word order
In yes/no questions the verb comes first, followed by the subject (or its placeholder ‘es’) and then the adverb.
🗨In Conversation
Regnet's heute?
Is it raining today?
Ja, seit dem Morgen. Nimm besser einen Regenschirm mit.
Yes, since this morning. You’d better take an umbrella.
✕Common Mistakes
Regnet heute?
Missing the dummy pronoun ‘es’ (or its contraction) makes the sentence sound incomplete.
Regnet's heute
The question mark is required in written German to signal a question.
Regnet's es heute?
If you keep ‘es’, don’t also add the contraction ‘'s’. Choose one form.
↔Alternatives
Regnet es heute?
Is it raining today?
Regnet es heute noch?
Is it still raining today?
Wird es heute regnen?
Will it rain today?
Cultural Tip
Talking about the weather is a classic ice‑breaker in German culture. The contraction ‘Regnet's’ is common in spoken, everyday German but should be avoided in formal writing or presentations. In the north of Germany you’ll hear the contraction even more often, while in the south speakers tend to keep the full ‘es’. Remember to pair the question with a friendly follow‑up, like offering an umbrella or suggesting indoor plans.