The noun (Substantiv/Nomen) Sommersemester is neutral in German. Therefore, the correct definite article in the nominative singular is das. So, you say: das Sommersemester.
summer semester
Compound Words: The last word (base word) ALWAYS determines the gender. Most fundamental and reliable rule in German gender assignment This word is composed and its gender is always determined by the root word.
Das Semester an Hochschulen, das im Sommer stattfindet (meist von April bis Juli).
The semester at universities that takes place in the summer (usually from April to July).
Ich belege im Sommersemester einen Kurs über Literatur. Das Sommersemester beginnt im April.
I am taking a course on literature in the summer semester. The summer semester begins in April.
German grammatical gender can be tricky at first, as it doesn't always seem logical - like with the neuter 'das Mädchen' (the girl). But here's the good news: Even though you won't find a rule for every word and some things just need to be memorized, there are quite a few helpful patterns and rules! These are real guideposts and can make your life significantly easier. So it's definitely worth knowing them!
Nouns ending in -chen are always neuter. This diminutive suffix makes things small or cute
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Nouns ending in -lein are always neuter. This diminutive suffix makes things small or cute
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Nouns ending in -icht are usually neuter. Found in abstract or collective nouns
Nouns ending in -il are usually neuter. Found in technical or scientific terms
Nouns ending in -it are usually neuter. Found in technical or scientific terms
Nouns ending in -ma are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
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Nouns ending in -ment are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
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Nouns ending in -tel are usually neuter. Found in fractional or diminutive terms
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Nouns ending in -tum are usually neuter. Found in abstract or collective nouns
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Nouns ending in -um are usually neuter. Found in abstract or technical terms
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Words with Ge- prefix: Often neuter, especially in collective or abstract nouns
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Exceptions:
Nouns ending with -nis and -sal: About 70% are neuter, often abstract or collective
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Foreign Loan Words (-al, -an, -ar, -är, -at, -ent, -ett, -ier, -iv, -o, -on): Often neuter, especially in technical or abstract terms
Alphabet Letters and Music Notes: Always neuter in German
Continents, Cities, Provinces, and Countries: Typically neuter, except for specific exceptions
Exceptions:
Gerunds and Parts of Speech as Nouns: Always neuter in German
Examples:
Hospitality Establishments: Names of hotels, restaurants, and cinemas are neuter
Nouns ending in -gut are usually neuter. Often describing goods or assets