der  Gegenbesuch

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡeːɡn̩bəˌzuːx/

🤝 What Exactly is a Gegenbesuch?

A Gegenbesuch is a return visit, meaning a visit you pay to someone after they have previously visited you. It's a reciprocation of a visit and is often considered a gesture of politeness and mutual respect in social interactions.

One makes a Gegenbesuch to express thanks for the previous invitation and hospitality and to maintain the social relationship.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Der Gegenbesuch

The word "Gegenbesuch" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nach ihrem Besuch letzte Woche planen wir nun unseren Gegenbesuch.
   (After their visit last week, we are now planning our return visit.)
2. Der Gegenbesuch des Präsidenten wurde in den Medien angekündigt.
   (The president's return visit was announced in the media.)
3. Wir schulden unseren Nachbarn noch einen Gegenbesuch.
   (We still owe our neighbours a return visit.)
4. Sie freute sich sehr über den baldigen Gegenbesuch ihrer Freunde.
   (She was very happy about her friends' upcoming return visit.)

🗣️ How to Use "Gegenbesuch"?

The term "Gegenbesuch" is primarily used in a social context when discussing the reciprocity of visits. It implies an existing relationship and the desire to maintain it.

• Social Etiquette: Paying a Gegenbesuch is often considered polite and necessary to reciprocate an invitation.
• Timing: A Gegenbesuch typically occurs some time after the original visit, but not too long afterwards, to signal continued interest in the relationship.
• Distinction: It's not a spontaneous visit (spontaner Besuch), but rather a planned reciprocation.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the Article: Imagine DER-ek (a man's name, hence masculine 'der') always insists on paying a visit back, a Gegenbesuch, after someone visits him.

For the Meaning: Think 'again' (sounds a bit like Gegen-) visit. A visit you make 'again' or in return. Gegen means 'against' or 'counter', so it's a 'counter-visit' or return Besuch (visit).

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

⚠️ Note: A "Besuch" is general, a "Gegenbesuch" specifically refers to the return visit reciprocating a previous one.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Freund den anderen: "Machst du eigentlich bald mal deinen Gegenbesuch bei den Müllers?"
(One friend asks the other: "Are you actually going to pay your return visit to the Müllers soon?")

Sagt der andere: "Nee, ich warte noch. Ihr erster Besuch bei uns war so kurz, ich glaube, mein Gegenbesuch dauert nur 5 Minuten – dafür lohnt sich die Anfahrt kaum!" 😉
(The other says: "Nah, I'm still waiting. Their first visit to us was so short, I think my return visit will only last 5 minutes – it's hardly worth the trip!")

📜 Poem About the Word

Warst du bei mir, Gast so lieb,
(You visited me, guest so dear,)
Gabst mir Freude, Zeitvertreib.
(Gave me joy and company near.)
Nun ist's an mir, so will's der Brauch,
(Now it's my turn, as custom shows,)
Zum Gegenbesuch komm ich nun auch.
(For the return visit, off one goes.)
Die Tür steht offen, weit und breit,
(The door stands open, wide and vast,)
Für Freundschaft und Geselligkeit.
(For friendship and times that last.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich folge auf einen Besuch bei dir,
(I follow a visit you paid to me,)
Bin Höflichkeit auf dem Papier.
(I'm politeness, for all to see.)
Ich zeige, dass die Freundschaft hält,
(I show that the friendship still holds true,)
Und komme bald in deine Welt.
(And soon I'll enter your world anew.) Wer oder was bin ich?
(Who or what am I?) (Answer: der Gegenbesuch)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Gegenbesuch" is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:

• gegen-: This prefix here expresses reciprocation, a response, or a counter-action (as in Gegenteil - opposite, Gegenleistung - return service).
• Besuch: The noun for the act of visiting or the time spent visiting someone.

So, literally, it translates to a "visit in return" or "counter-visit".