das
Jubiläum
🎉 What exactly is a Jubiläum?
The word das Jubiläum (noun, neuter) refers to a celebration or commemoration of a special event that recurs after a specific number of years (often round numbers like 10, 25, 50, 100). It can relate to private occasions (e.g., Hochzeitstag - wedding anniversary), professional milestones (e.g., Dienstjubiläum - work anniversary), or social events (e.g., Stadtjubiläum - city anniversary).
There's only one article, das, for Jubiläum, so no risk of mixing things up! 🥳
Article rules for der, die, and das
-um → mostly neutral.
Caution: Nouns with '-aum' are always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Jubiläum
The noun "Jubiläum" is neuter (sächlich) and therefore uses the article das.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Jubiläum |
| Genitive | des | Jubiläums |
| Dative | dem | Jubiläum |
| Accusative | das | Jubiläum |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jubiläen |
| Genitive | der | Jubiläen |
| Dative | den | Jubiläen |
| Accusative | die | Jubiläen |
Example Sentences
- Wir feiern unser 25-jähriges Firmenjubiläum. (We are celebrating our 25th company anniversary.)
- Zum Jubiläum gab es eine große Feier. (There was a big party for the anniversary/jubilee.)
- Die Stadt bereitet sich auf ihr 1000-jähriges Jubiläum vor. (The city is preparing for its 1000th anniversary.)
- Ich habe ihm zum Dienstjubiläum gratuliert. (I congratulated him on his work anniversary.)
💬 How to use "Jubiläum"?
"Jubiläum" is used to denote an anniversary considered particularly important or worthy of celebration, often due to a round number (e.g., 10, 25, 50 years). It's more formal than the word "Jahrestag", which can refer to any annual anniversary.
- Private occasions: Hochzeitsjubiläum (wedding anniversary, e.g., Silberhochzeit = silver wedding, 25 years; Goldene Hochzeit = golden wedding, 50 years), Geburtstagsjubiläum (less common, more likely 'runder Geburtstag' - significant birthday).
- Professional occasions: Dienstjubiläum (work anniversary, e.g., 10 years with the company), Firmenjubiläum (company anniversary).
- Public/Social occasions: Stadtjubiläum (city anniversary), Vereinsjubiläum (club/association anniversary), anniversary of a historical event.
Although "Jahrestag" can sometimes be used synonymously, "Jubiläum" often emphasizes the significance and celebratory nature of the event. A first wedding anniversary is a "Jahrestag"; the 25th is a "Jubiläum" (Silberhochzeit).
🧠 Memory Aids for "das Jubiläum"
For the article "das": Imagine getting das best present 🎁 for the Jubiläum – presents are often neuter in German ("das Geschenk"). Or think of das big party ('Fest') that is being celebrated.
For the meaning: "Jubiläum" sounds like "jubilation" or "jubilee" in English. People are jubilant 🥳 during special anniversaries and celebrations.
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Co.
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Der Alltag: Everyday life, routine.
- Der Normalfall: The usual situation, the opposite of a special occasion.
Similar, but different words:
- Jubilar/Jubilarin: The person(s) whose anniversary is being celebrated.
😄 A little Joke about Jubiläum
Warum feiern Skelette keine Jubiläen?
... Weil sie keinen Körper haben, um hinzugehen!
(Why don't skeletons celebrate anniversaries? ... Because they have no body to go with! 😉)
📜 A Poem for the Jubiläum
Ein Jahr ums andre zog ins Land,
Nun halten wir's in unsrer Hand:
Das Jubiläum, rund und schön,
Zeit, dankbar rückwärts nun zu sehn.
Auf viele Jahre, die noch kommen,
Sei Freud und Glück uns zugenommen!
(One year after another passed by,
Now we hold it in our hand:
The Jubilee, round and beautiful,
Time to look back thankfully.
To many years yet to come,
May joy and happiness be granted us!)
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich komm' nicht jedes Jahr daher,
bin meistens rund und wieg' recht schwer.
Man feiert mich mit Saus und Braus,
Bring Kuchen, Sekt und Applaus ins Haus.
Mal 10, mal 25, mal 50 Jahr' alt,
Was bin ich, sag es mir recht bald?
(I don't come around every year,
I'm usually round and carry some weight [of significance].
People celebrate me with pomp and circumstance,
Bringing cake, sparkling wine, and applause to the house.
Sometimes 10, sometimes 25, sometimes 50 years old,
What am I? Tell me quickly!)
Solution: Das Jubiläum
💡 More Interesting Facts
Word Origin: The word "Jubiläum" comes from the Latin phrase "(annus) iubilaeus," meaning "jubilee year." This, in turn, originates from the Hebrew word "jovel" (ram's horn), which was used in the Old Testament to announce a special year of release every 50 years.
Compounds: "Jubiläum" is often used in compound nouns in German:
- Das Firmenjubiläum (company anniversary)
- Das Dienstjubiläum (work anniversary)
- Das Hochzeitsjubiläum (wedding anniversary)
- Das Stadtjubiläum (city anniversary)
- Das Vereinsjubiläum (club/association anniversary)
- Die Jubiläumsfeier (anniversary celebration)
- Das Jubiläumsjahr (anniversary year)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jubiläum?
The word "Jubiläum" is neuter, so it always uses the article das. It refers to a special, often round-numbered anniversary that is celebrated festively (e.g., das Firmenjubiläum, das Hochzeitsjubiläum).