noun

die Natur, -en

nature

Alles, was nicht von Menschen gemacht wurde, wie Pflanzen, Tiere, Berge und Flüsse.

Definition & meaning

The German word Natur generally refers to the natural world, encompassing everything that is not created by human intervention. It has several specific nuances:

The physical world: This includes plants, animals, landscapes, the climate, and geological features (e.g., mountains, forests, oceans). It is often used in the context of wilderness or the outdoors.
Essence or character: It refers to the inherent qualities or the true state of a person or a thing. For example, "es liegt in seiner Natur" (it is in his nature/character).
Natural state: It can describe something that is unadulterated, raw, or unaffected by artificial processes (e.g., natural hair color or raw materials).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is a feminine noun (die Natur). The plural form is die Naturen (though this is rarely used except when referring to human characters/types).
Word origin: It is derived from the Latin word natura, which comes from nasci ("to be born"). In German, it has been used since the Middle High German period to describe both the physical world and the inherent properties of entities.