der  Empfang

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛmpˈfaŋ/

👋 What does "der Empfang" mean?

The German word der Empfang has several meanings:

• Welcome / Reception of guests: The act of welcoming someone or the event itself. Example: Der herzliche Empfang hat uns sehr gefreut. (We were very pleased about the warm welcome.)
• Reception area / Front desk: The place in a building (hotel, company) where guests or visitors are received. Example: Melden Sie sich bitte am Empfang. (Please check in at the reception desk.)
• Technical reception (signal): Receiving signals (radio, TV, mobile phone). Example: Hier auf dem Land ist der Empfang oft schlecht. (The reception is often bad here in the countryside.)
• Receipt / Act of receiving: The act of accepting or receiving something (e.g., a delivery, a message). Example: Bitte bestätigen Sie den Empfang der E-Mail. (Please confirm the receipt of the email.)

🚨 Important: Although the word comes from "empfangen" (to receive), it usually refers to the act or place of reception, not just the receiving itself.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Empfang

Der Empfang is a masculine noun. Its article is always 'der'. The plural is die Empfänge.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Note on plural: The plural "die Empfänge" is mainly used for festive events or repeated acts of receiving. For technical signal reception, the singular is usually used (der Empfang ist gut/schlecht - the reception is good/bad).

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Botschafter gab einen großen Empfang. (The ambassador hosted a large reception.)
2. Warten Sie bitte kurz im Empfang. (Please wait briefly in the reception area.)
3. Hast du hier guten Empfang mit deinem Handy? (Do you have good reception here with your mobile phone?)
4. Der Empfang des Pakets muss quittiert werden. (The receipt of the package must be signed for.)

💡 How to use "Empfang"?

The usage of der Empfang heavily depends on the context:

• Social Context: Here it often refers to a formal event (ein Empfang beim Bürgermeister - a reception hosted by the mayor) or the manner of greeting (ein kühler Empfang - a cool reception). The phrase "jemandem einen Empfang bereiten" means to give someone a welcome.
• Spatial Context: In buildings, "der Empfang" means the entrance area with a desk or counter (the reception).
• Technical Context: This refers to the quality of radio, television, or wireless signals (Mobilfunkempfang - mobile phone reception, WLAN-Empfang - Wi-Fi reception). One talks about guter Empfang (good reception) or schlechter Empfang (bad reception).
• Administrative Context: Confirmation of receiving mail, emails, or goods (Empfangsbestätigung - confirmation of receipt).

Differentiation:

• Begrüßung: Is purely the act of saying "hello", often more informal. Der Empfang can include this, but is often broader (e.g., the entire event).
• Rezeption: Often synonymous with Empfang in the spatial sense (hotel, doctor's office), but Empfang can also refer to the area more generally.
• Annahme: Refers more specifically to accepting something tangible or information. Der Empfang can also encompass the process or place.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Empfang"

1. Article Mnemonic

   Imagine a male receptionist ('der Rezeptionist') welcoming you at 'der Empfang'. A man ('der') manages 'der Empfang'.

2. Meaning Mnemonic

   Think of 'empfangen' (to receive). At the Empfang, you receive guests, signals (like from an antenna reaching 'up' = 'em-pfang'), or packages. It's the place or act where you 'catch' (fangen) what's coming towards you ('entgegen'/'em-').

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Umfang (der): Refers to scope, extent, or circumference. Don't confuse!
• Anfang (der): The beginning of something.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter am Empfang: "Na, wie gefällt Ihnen die Arbeit?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Geht so. Ich warte die ganze Zeit auf Gäste, aber es kommen nur Leute, die hier arbeiten!"

Translation: The boss asks the new employee at reception: "So, how do you like the job?"
The employee says: "It's okay. I keep waiting for guests, but only people who work here show up!"

📜 Poem about Empfang

Der Empfang

Am Eingang steht er, hell und klar,
Der Ort, wo mancher Gast schon war.
Ein Lächeln, Gruß, ein nettes Wort,
Das ist der Start an diesem Ort.

Doch auch das Handy sucht voll Drang
Nach Balken für den Funkempfang.
Ob Welle kurz, ob Welle lang,
Gelungen ist erst der Empfang.

Translation:

The Reception

At the entrance it stands, bright and clear,
The place where many guests have been here.
A smile, a greeting, a nice word,
That's the beginning at this stead occurred.

But also the mobile phone seeks with urge
For bars for the signal's wireless surge.
Whether wave short, or wave long,
Successful only is the Empfang (reception) strong.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, doch auch ein Gruß,
nehm' Wellen auf, zum Teil Verdruss.
Manchmal feierlich mit Sekt und Wein,
manchmal nur Striche, groß und klein.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Der Empfang

Translation:

I am a place, but also a greeting,
I pick up waves, sometimes causing fleeting
Annoyance. Sometimes festive with sparkling wine,
Sometimes just bars, large and fine (or small).

What am I?

Solution: Der Empfang (Reception)

➕ Other Information

Word Origin (Wortherkunft)

The word Empfang is a nominalization (substantivierung) of the verb empfangen (to receive). It consists of the prefix ent- (which becomes emp- before 'f') and the verb fangen (to catch). So, it literally meant 'catching towards oneself' or 'accepting'.

Cultural Notes (Kulturelles)

Formal receptions (formelle Empfänge), such as New Year's receptions (Neujahrsempfang) or diplomatic receptions (diplomatischer Empfang), are important social events in many cultures for networking and honouring significant occasions.