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Morgengrauen

dawn, first light

noun MOR-gen-grou-en Rare
Time Time of Day

Also means

break of day

Usage Note

Morgengrauen literally means 'morning grey' and describes the very first dim light before sunrise. Im Morgengrauen aufbrechen = 'to set off at the crack of dawn'. More poetic than Sonnenaufgang.

Examples

"Sie brachen noch im Morgengrauen auf."

Natural Translation

They set off at the crack of dawn.

Literal Translation

They broke-off still in the dawn.

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