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LEARNING GERMAN

German word of the day: Das Feiern

This phrase needs to be in your vocab if you want to shine in formal and colloquial German speech.

German word of the day: Das Feiern
Photo: DPA

What does “feiern” mean and how is it used?

The verb “feiern” has three core meanings: to celebrate, to party or celebrate, or to praise someone or something.

In the first sense, it refers to celebrating a cause – whether a person, wedding, birthday, or any festive and dignifying occasion.

In the second sense, it defines a cheerful get-together that does not necessarily have a purpose. Basically, it is just the act of partying for the sake of partying, and joyfully being together with others – going clubbing, for example.

A newer colloquial meaning

The last sense has a slightly different meaning. Here, “feiern” refers to delighting in or praising a person, action or thing.

In this sense the word is used colloquially and often with a humorous connotation such as how someone delights in a comedian, or finds the way his friend reacted to something funny.

READ ALSO: 10 ways of speaking German you'll only ever pick up on the street

Many young adults use this phrase very frequently, or even overuse it as it grows more popular.

The adjective “feierlich” also expresses that someone finds something amusing and funny, such as when you see someone trip or your dog drool.

Examples

“Am 9ten November 2019 haben wir 30 Jahre Mauerfall gefeiert.”

“On November 9th, 2019 we celebrate 30 years since the fall of the Berlin wall.”

“Lass mal heute feiern gehen.”

“Let’s go partying (clubbing) today.”

“Das ist total feierlich.”

 “That’s so funny.”

“Ich feier ihn richtig”

“I really find him cool.”

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For members

GERMAN WORD OF THE DAY

German word of the day: Dudelsack

This hilarious sounding German word describes something quintessentially Scottish.

German word of the day: Dudelsack

Why do I need to know Dudelsack?

In the run-up to the German v Scotland opening match of Euro 2024, there were a lot of these gracing the streets of Munich. More importantly, why wouldn’t you want to know a word like Dudelsack?

Just say the word aloud and it will brighten your day. 

What does it mean?

Dudelsack (pronounced like this) is one of those German words that’s both charmingly literal and somewhat onomatopoeic, describing a big bag or sack that makes a ‘doodling’ kind of noise: in other words, the bagpipes.

As well as sounding like the noise this traditional Scottish instrument makes, dudeln also translates as ‘to drone’, and anyone who’s heard the bagpipes will know that this is also a fairly accurate description of how they sound. 

READ ALSO: 10 German words with hilarious literal translations

As Scotland geared up to play Germany in the opening match of Euro 2024 in Munich, many sacks were doodled in the Bavarian capital. 

Seeing parades of kilts and hearing the distinctive wail of the Dudelsack against the backdrop of Munich’s gothic town hall isn’t something you experience every day, and we’re sure it’s an experience the people of Munich also won’t forget for a while. 

Use it like this: 

Hör mal auf, Dudelsack zu spielen! Es geht mir auf die Nerven.

Stop playing the bagpipes! It’s getting on my nerves.  

Weißt du, wie der Dudelsack klingt? Man hört ihn überall in Schottland.

Do you know what the bagpipes sound like? You can hear them everywhere in Scotland. 

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