der  Fasching

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfaʃŋ/

🎭 What does 'Fasching' mean?

Der Fasching refers to the period of merry celebration just before the Christian season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). It's a time full of parades (Umzüge), costume parties (Kostümpartys), music, and traditional customs.

Regionally, there are different names and traditions:

• Fasching: Mainly used in Southern Germany (Süddeutschland), like Bavaria (Bayern) and Saxony (Sachsen), and in Austria (Österreich).
• Karneval: Predominantly known in the Rhineland (Rheinland), especially cities like Cologne (Köln), Düsseldorf, and Mainz.
• Fastnacht: Often used in Southwestern Germany (Südwestdeutschland), e.g., Swabia (Schwaben), Baden, Hesse (Hessen), and Switzerland (Schweiz).

Even though the names vary, they all refer to the same “fifth season” (fünfte Jahreszeit) of celebration and revelry before Lent.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Fasching' in Detail

The word "Fasching" is a masculine noun, hence it uses the article der. It's mostly used in the singular as it refers to a period of time. The plural "die Faschinge" is very rare and might refer to individual carnival events or customs over several years.

Declension Singular

Note: The plural is very rarely used.

Example Sentences

1. Der Fasching beginnt traditionell am 11. November um 11:11 Uhr, aber die Hauptfeierlichkeiten finden im Februar statt.
   (Fasching traditionally begins on November 11th at 11:11 AM, but the main celebrations take place in February.)
2. Wir freuen uns schon auf die Umzüge während des Faschings.
   (We are already looking forward to the parades during Fasching.)
3. Zu dem Fasching gehören bunte Kostüme und laute Musik.
   (Colorful costumes and loud music belong to Fasching.)
4. Viele Leute feiern den Fasching ausgiebig.
   (Many people celebrate Fasching extensively.)

🎉 How and When to Use 'Fasching'?

The term der Fasching is primarily used in specific regions of Germany (especially Bavaria and Saxony) and in Austria to describe the carnival season.

• Context: Used in connection with celebrations, parades (Faschingsumzug), costumes (Faschingskostüm), balls (Faschingsball), and the time before Ash Wednesday.
• Regional Differences: It's important to know that in the Rhineland, people usually say Karneval, and in the Southwest, they say Fastnacht. Using "Fasching" in Cologne would be unusual, just as "Karneval" would be in Munich.
• Distinction: While all three terms (Fasching, Karneval, Fastnacht) refer to the same season, the customs and the way people celebrate can vary regionally. Fasching in Munich often has a slightly different character than Karneval in Cologne.

People often talk about the "Faschingszeit" (Fasching time) or say they "feiern Fasching" (celebrate Fasching).

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Fasching'

For the article 'der': Imagine a man (der Mann) fashioning an amazing costume for the party. He is der man for the job! Der Fasching.

For the meaning 'carnival season': Think of people having fast fun before they have to start fasting for Lent. Fasching = fast fun before fasting.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Oktoberfest: Another large folk festival in Germany (Munich), but unrelated to Fasching.
• Maskenball: (Masquerade ball) Can be part of Fasching, but masquerade balls can also take place on other occasions.

😂 A Little Fasching Joke

DE: Fragt der Polizist einen als Sträfling verkleideten Jecken im Fasching: "Na, heute ausgebrochen?" Antwortet der Jeck: "Nein, Herr Wachtmeister, nur ausgelassen!"

EN: A policeman asks a carnival-goer dressed as a convict during Fasching: "Well, broken out today?" The carnival-goer replies: "No, officer, just let loose!" (It's a pun: "ausgebrochen" means "broken out", "ausgelassen" means "let loose/exuberant").

📜 Poem about Fasching

DE:

Bunt und laut, das ist doch klar,
zieht der Fasching durch das Land,
mit viel Spaß und Tand.
Kostüme schrill, Musik so voll,
Jeder findet's einfach toll!
Helau, Alaaf, es schallt durchs Haus,
Die Narrenzeit, welch ein Schmaus!

EN:

Colorful and loud, that is clear,
Fasching moves throughout the land,
with lots of fun and trinkets grand.
Costumes gaudy, music so full,
Everyone finds it simply cool!
Helau, Alaaf, it rings through the house,
The foolish time, what a carouse!

❓ Little Riddle

DE:

Ich komm' daher mit Saus und Braus,
vertreibe Winterkälte aus dem Haus.
Mit Kostüm und Maskerade,
feiern alle auf der Straße.
Im Süden heiß' ich anders als am Rhein,
doch vor Aschermittwoch muss es sein.

Wer bin ich?

EN:

I arrive with hustle and bustle,
chasing winter's cold from the house's tussle.
With costumes and masquerade bright,
everyone celebrates in the street's light.
In the South, my name differs from the Rhine,
but before Ash Wednesday, it must be my time.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Fasching

💡 More Tidbits

• Origin: The origins of Fasching/Karneval are diverse, partly tracing back to pagan customs for driving out winter. Later, they were linked to the Christian season of Lent – as the last chance to celebrate and feast.
• Important Days: Well-known days during Fasching/Karneval include "Unsinniger Donnerstag" or "Weiberfastnacht" (Fat Thursday/Women's Carnival), "Rosenmontag" (Rose Monday, the peak of parades in the Rhineland), and "Faschingsdienstag" (Shrove Tuesday).
• Word Meaning: "Fasching" likely derives from the Middle High German word "vaschanc" or "vasschang," meaning something like "Fastenschank" – the last serving of alcoholic beverages before Lent.