Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching German grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Endlich scheint die Sonne.
Why is scheint placed before die Sonne?
In German main clauses the finite verb must occupy the second position. Here endlich (an adverb) stands first, so scheint (the verb) comes second and the subject die Sonne follows.
What exactly does endlich mean, and why can it appear at the very beginning?
Endlich is a temporal adverb meaning finally. German allows time adverbs to be fronted for emphasis. Placing endlich at the start stresses relief or impatience that something long-awaited is now happening.
Why do we say die Sonne instead of just Sonne?
German common nouns generally require an article or determiner in normal sentences. Sonne is feminine, so the nominative singular article is die. English weather expressions sometimes drop “the,” but German grammar does not.
How do we know Sonne is feminine and in the nominative case?
Dictionaries list Sonne as a feminine noun. As the subject of scheint, Sonne takes the nominative case, which for feminine nouns uses die.
Can we also say Die Sonne scheint endlich, and does that change the meaning?
Yes. Putting endlich after the verb (in “end” position) still conveys “The sun is finally shining,” but it sounds more neutral. Fronting endlich (as in the original) adds a bit more emphasis on how long you’ve waited.
Does scheinen ever mean “to seem,” and how do we tell which meaning applies?
Yes—scheinen can mean either to shine or to seem. Context decides the sense. With die Sonne, it naturally means to shine. In sentences like Es scheint so zu sein (“It seems to be so”), it means to seem.