German Phrase
Wann hört diese Dürre endlich auf?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the point in time when the current drought will finally stop. It conveys a sense of frustration or longing for relief, typical when people are dealing with prolonged dry conditions.
When to use
Use this question when discussing weather, agriculture, water shortages, or climate‑related news in German‑speaking regions. It works in informal conversations, news interviews, or social‑media comments about a drought that has lasted longer than expected.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WannhörtdieseDürreendlichauf?
Wann (question word)
‘Wann’ asks for a point in time and always stands at the beginning of a yes‑no or wh‑question.
hört (3rd person singular of hören)
‘hört’ is the present‑tense form of ‘hören’ used with a third‑person singular subject; here it belongs to the separable verb ‘aufhören’.
diese (demonstrative pronoun)
‘diese’ agrees in gender, number and case with the noun it modifies – feminine singular nominative ‘Dürre’.
Dürre (feminine noun)
‘Dürre’ means ‘drought’; it is a feminine noun, so the article and pronoun take the ‘‑e’ ending in the nominative.
endlich (adverb)
‘endlich’ adds the nuance of ‘at last / finally’, emphasizing the speaker’s impatience.
auf (separable verb particle)
‘auf’ belongs to the separable verb ‘aufhören’. In main clauses the particle moves to the end of the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Wann hört diese Dürre endlich auf?
When will this drought finally end?
Ich hoffe, dass der Regen nächste Woche kommt.
I hope the rain comes next week.
✕Common Mistakes
Wann hörst diese Dürre endlich auf?
‘hörst’ is 2nd‑person singular; the subject here is ‘die Dürre’ (3rd‑person), so you need ‘hört’.
Wann hört diese Dürre endlich auf?
If you use the accusative ‘diese Dürre’, the sentence becomes ungrammatical because ‘aufhören’ does not take an object.
Wann hört diese Dürre auf endlich?
Placing ‘endlich’ after ‘auf’ breaks the separable‑verb order; it must stay before the particle.
↔Alternatives
Wann wird diese Dürre endlich vorbei sein?
When will this drought finally be over?
Wie lange dauert die Dürre noch?
How much longer will the drought last?
Endlich, wann hört die Dürre auf?
Finally, when does the drought end?
Cultural Tip
In German media, droughts are often discussed in the context of climate change and water management. The word ‘endlich’ adds an emotional layer; using it in formal reports can sound too personal, while in everyday conversation it signals genuine impatience. In southern Germany, you might also hear the colloquial ‘Wann hört’s endlich mit der Trockenheit auf?’ where ‘Trockenheit’ is a synonym for ‘Dürre’.