Sonnenbrand

German

Etymology

From Sonne (“sun”) +‎ -n- +‎ Brand (“fire, burn”). The word originally meant the burning heat of the sun. As such it was, of course, used also in the context of sunburnt skin. However, the use of Sonnenbrand to refer this skin condition itself (meaning that one can “have a sunburn”, Sonnenbrand haben) seems to be a development of the 20th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈzɔnənˌbʁant/

Noun

Sonnenbrand m (genitive Sonnenbrandes or Sonnenbrands, plural Sonnenbrände)

1. (uncountable, now rare, poetic) the burning heat of the sun
2. (uncountable) sunburn (condition of the skin)
3. (countable) sunburn (an instance of affliction with this condition)

Synonyms

• (heat of the sun): Sonnenglut

Further reading

• “Sonnenbrand” in Duden online