der  Aschermittwoch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔaʃɐˌmɪtvoχ/

✝️ What does Aschermittwoch mean?

Der Aschermittwoch is an important day in the Christian liturgical year, especially in the Catholic and Protestant churches. It marks the end of the Carnival season (Fasching, Karneval, Fastnacht) and the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season (also called österliche Bußzeit), which prepares for Easter (Ostern).

The name derives from the custom of marking the foreheads of the faithful with an ash cross (Aschenkreuz) on this day. The ash often comes from the burnt palm branches of the previous year (Palmsonntag - Palm Sunday) and symbolizes penance (Buße), purification (Reinigung), and the transience of life (Vergänglichkeit des Lebens). 🙏

It is a fixed term with a specific religious context. The article is always der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: der Aschermittwoch

The word "Aschermittwoch" is a masculine noun. It is always used with the article der.

Note: The plural "die Aschermittwoche" is rarely used, as the day is usually considered a single event within the year.

Example Sentences

• Der Aschermittwoch fällt dieses Jahr auf den 14. Februar.
  (Ash Wednesday falls on February 14th this year.)
• Am Aschermittwoch beginnt die Fastenzeit.
  (The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday.)
• Viele Gläubige gehen am Aschermittwoch zur Messe, um das Aschenkreuz zu empfangen.
  (Many believers go to mass on Ash Wednesday to receive the sign of the ashes.)
• Nach dem ausgelassenen Karneval kehrt am Aschermittwoch Ruhe ein.
  (After the exuberant Carnival, calm returns on Ash Wednesday.)

🗓️ Everyday Usage

"Aschermittwoch" is mainly used in religious and calendrical contexts.

• Religious Context: Describing the beginning of Lent, referring to church services and the custom of the ash cross (das Aschenkreuz).
• Calendrical Context: Mentioning the specific date in the year, which depends on the date of Easter (always 46 days before Easter Sunday).
• Figurative Meaning (less common): Sometimes the term "politischer Aschermittwoch" (Political Ash Wednesday) is used. This refers to traditional, often rhetorically charged party rallies held on this day in Germany, which have nothing to do with the religious origin except for the date.

You say "am Aschermittwoch" when referring to the day (e.g., "Am Aschermittwoch faste ich." - I fast on Ash Wednesday.).

💡 Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of "der Tag" (the day). Aschermittwoch is a specific day, and days in German are mostly masculine (der Montag, der Dienstag, der Mittwoch... der Aschermittwoch).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine that after the colourful Carnival, all the joy turns to Asche (ash - symbol of transience) exactly on the Mittwoch (Wednesday) after the Carnival weekend. "Asche" + "Mittwoch" becomes Aschermittwoch – the beginning of the solemn Lenten season.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse:

• Buß- und Bettag: A Protestant holiday in November (Day of Repentance and Prayer), unrelated to Aschermittwoch.
• Gründonnerstag: (Maundy Thursday) - The Thursday before Easter, commemorating Jesus' Last Supper.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Pfarrer am Aschermittwoch den Küster: "Haben Sie die Palmzweige vom letzten Jahr verbrannt?" Sagt der Küster: "Ja, Herr Pfarrer, aber das Grillen damit war keine gute Idee... die Würstchen schmeckten irgendwie heilig."

English: On Ash Wednesday, the priest asks the sexton: "Did you burn last year's palm branches?" The sexton replies: "Yes, Father, but barbecuing with them wasn't a good idea... the sausages tasted kinda holy."

📜 A Short Poem

German:
Der Karneval, er ist vorbei,
vorbei die laute Narretei.
Der Aschermittwoch hält nun Einzug,
mit Aschekreuz als Sinnbild-Zug.

Beginn der Zeit voll Einkehr, Ruh',
bis Ostern schaut die Hoffnung zu.
Verzicht und Buße, leis' Gebet,
auf dass die Seele neu entsteht.

English:
The Carnival, it is now gone,
The noisy foolishness is done.
Der Aschermittwoch now appears,
With ashen cross, dispelling fears.

Start of a time of calm and grace,
Till Easter, hope finds its own space.
Abstinence, penance, quiet prayer,
That souls may find renewal there.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich komme nach dem bunten Treiben,
wenn Masken und Kostüme bleiben.
Mit Asche zeichne ich ein Kreuz,
und Fastenzeit beginnt bei euch.
Ein Mittwoch bin ich, ernst und still,
wer weiß, wie man mich nennen will?

English:
I come after the colourful spree,
When masks and costumes cease to be.
With ash, I draw a cross for you,
And Lenten season starts anew.
A Wednesday, solemn, calm, and grey,
What is my name? Can you say?

Solution: Der Aschermittwoch (Ash Wednesday)

🧐 More about der Aschermittwoch

Word Composition:

The word "Aschermittwoch" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Asche (die): Ash - Refers to the custom of the ash cross (das Aschenkreuz).
• Mittwoch (der): Wednesday - Refers to the day of the week on which this day always falls.

Trivia:

• Date: The date of Aschermittwoch is movable because it depends on the date of Easter (Ostern). It is always the 46th day before Easter Sunday (the Sundays of Lent are not counted, resulting in 40 days of fasting).
• Ash Cross Saying: When applying the ash cross, the priest often says the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19 - German: „Bedenke, Mensch, dass du Staub bist und wieder zum Staub zurückkehren wirst.“) or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15 - German: „Bekehrt euch und glaubt an das Evangelium.“).
• Politischer Aschermittwoch: (Political Ash Wednesday) - A purely secular event where political parties (originally in Bavaria, now nationwide in Germany) hold large rallies, often characterized by sharp rhetoric.