das  Pfingsten

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpfɪŋstn̩/

⛪ What Exactly is Pfingsten?

Das Pfingsten refers to a significant Christian festival celebrated on the 50th day after Easter (Easter Sunday being the first day). It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and disciples of Jesus, as described in the New Testament.

It is a fixed term within the liturgical year. Although it takes the article das, it is often used in temporal expressions without an article (e.g., zu Pfingsten - 'at Pentecost', an Pfingsten - 'on Pentecost').

🚨 Note: Das Pfingsten is neuter, similar to das Ostern (Easter) or das Weihnachten (Christmas). It is almost always used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of das Pfingsten

The word Pfingsten is a noun and is neuter. It is generally used only in the singular.

Declension Singular

Note: The genitive case and forms with the indefinite article are unusual because Pfingsten is typically used as a fixed holiday name, often without an article or with prepositions (e.g., zu Pfingsten, die Zeit um Pfingsten - 'the time around Pentecost').

📝 Example Sentences

1. Wann ist Pfingsten dieses Jahr?
   (When is Pentecost this year?)
2. Wir fahren zu Pfingsten oft weg.
   (We often go away at Pentecost.)
3. Das Pfingsten ist ein wichtiges Fest für Christen.
   (Pentecost is an important festival for Christians.)
4. Er wünschte allen frohe Pfingsten.
   (He wished everyone a happy Pentecost.)
5. Die Ereignisse des Pfingsten sind in der Apostelgeschichte beschrieben. (More common: Die Ereignisse von Pfingsten...)
   (The events of Pentecost are described in the Acts of the Apostles.)

🗣️ How to Use Pfingsten?

Pfingsten is primarily used to refer to the Christian festival.

• Temporal Reference: Very often used with prepositions like zu, an, or um, frequently without an article: "Was macht ihr zu Pfingsten?" ('What are you doing at Pentecost?'), "An Pfingsten soll das Wetter schön werden." ('The weather is supposed to be nice on Pentecost.'), "Die Vorbereitungen um Pfingsten herum laufen." ('The preparations around Pentecost are underway.')
• As the Holiday Itself: Referring directly to the festival: "Pfingsten fällt immer auf einen Sonntag und Montag." ('Pentecost always falls on a Sunday and Monday.'), "Wir feiern Pfingsten im Kreise der Familie." ('We celebrate Pentecost with the family.')
• Wishes: People wish each other "Frohe Pfingsten!" ('Happy Pentecost!') or "Schöne Pfingsten!" ('Have a nice Pentecost!').
• With the Article: The article das is used less frequently, usually when discussing Pentecost more generally or as a concept: "Das Pfingsten symbolisiert die Sendung des Heiligen Geistes." ('Pentecost symbolizes the sending of the Holy Spirit.')

Confusion is rare as the term is very specific. Sometimes the plural 'die Pfingsten' might be used humorously or regionally when talking about multiple Pentecosts, but this is grammatically non-standard.

💡 Mnemonics for 'das Pfingsten'

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das Fest' (the festival/celebration). Pfingsten is a major festival, and many festivals in German are neuter (das Oktoberfest, das Erntedankfest). So: das Pfingsten.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from the Greek 'pentekoste' (fiftieth). Remember: Pfingsten is the "fiftieth" day after Easter. The 'Pf' sound at the beginning is somewhat similar to 'f'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but distinct terms are the specific days: Pfingstsonntag (Whit Sunday) and Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was feiern wir an Pfingsten?"
Antwortet Fritzchen: "Na, dass wir am Montag frei haben!"

Teacher asks: "What do we celebrate at Pentecost?"
Little Fritz replies: "Well, that we have Monday off!"

✍️ Poem for Pentecost

Fünfzig Tage nach dem Osterlicht,
kam der Geist, brach Dunkelheit und Pflicht.
Das Pfingsten kam mit Feuerzungen klar,
brachte Mut und Glauben, wunderbar.
Ein Fest des Geistes, neu und frei,
so feiern wir es, Jahr für Jahr, aufs Neu'.

Fifty days past Easter's light,
The Spirit came, dispelling dark and might.
Das Pfingsten arrived with tongues of fire clear,
Brought courage and faith, wonderfully dear.
A feast of the Spirit, new and free,
So we celebrate it, yearly, with glee.

❓ Pentecost Riddle

Ich komme fünfzig Tage nach dem Hasenfest,
bin ein Geschenk, das man nicht kommen lässt.
Mein Name klingt fast wie eine Zahl,
mein Artikel ist sächlich, ganz neutral.
Ich bringe einen freien Montag meistens mit,
und feiere den Geist, Schritt für Schritt.

Wer oder was bin ich?

(I come fifty days after the bunny festival,
I'm a gift that isn't optional.
My name sounds almost like a number's call,
My article is neuter, neutral to all.
I usually bring a free Monday along,
And celebrate the Spirit, all day long.)

What am I?

Solution: das Pfingsten

🧩 Other Information

• Etymology: The name "Pfingsten" derives from the Greek word πεντηκοστή (ἡμέρα) (pentēkostē (hēméra)), meaning „fiftieth (day)“.
• Public Holidays: In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and many other countries, Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) is a public holiday.
• Traditions: Pentecost customs (Pfingstbräuche) vary regionally, often including bonfires (Pfingstfeuer), processions, or decorating wells (Pfingstbrunnen).
• English: In English, Pfingsten is called Pentecost or Whitsun / Whitsunday.