der
Jahrestag
📅 What exactly is a Jahrestag?
Der Jahrestag (masculine) refers to the specific day of the year on which an event from a previous year recurs. It's an anniversary or commemoration day related to a specific past date.
Typical events include:
- Weddings (der Hochzeitstag)
- Birthdays (though Geburtstag is more common here)
- Founding dates of companies or organizations
- Beginning or end of important historical events
- Personal milestones
The only article for Jahrestag is der, as it derives from der Tag (the day). 🚨 Don't confuse it with das Jahr (the year) – the reference point is the specific Tag within the year.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Jahrestag
The word "Jahrestag" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Jahrestag |
| Genitive | des | Jahrestag(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Jahrestag(e) |
| Accusative | den | Jahrestag |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jahrestage |
| Genitive | der | Jahrestage |
| Dative | den | Jahrestagen |
| Accusative | die | Jahrestage |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Jahrestag unserer Hochzeit ist im Mai. (Our wedding anniversary is in May.)
- Wir gedenken des Jahrestages des Mauerfalls. (We commemorate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.)
- Sie haben uns zu ihrem zehnten Jahrestag eingeladen. (They invited us to their tenth anniversary.)
- Viele Menschen feiern besondere Jahrestage. (Many people celebrate special anniversaries.)
💡 How to Use "Jahrestag"
"Jahrestag" is used to refer to the annual recurrence of a specific date. The context determines the type of anniversary:
- Personal: Wedding anniversary (Hochzeitstag), the day you met someone, the anniversary of a loved one's passing (Todestag).
- Professional: Company founding date (Gründungsdatum), work anniversary (Dienstjubiläum).
- Historical/Societal: Commemoration days for historical events (e.g., end of a war, signing of a treaty - often called Gedenktag).
Typical verbs used with "Jahrestag" are:
- feiern (to celebrate, e.g., einen Hochzeitstag feiern - to celebrate a wedding anniversary)
- begehen (to observe/commemorate, e.g., einen Gedenktag begehen - to observe a commemoration day)
- gedenken (to remember/commemorate, e.g., des Jahrestages eines Ereignisses gedenken - to commemorate the anniversary of an event)
Compared to Jubiläum, which often emphasizes round or particularly significant anniversaries (e.g., 10th, 25th, 50th), "Jahrestag" can refer to any annual recurrence, including the first.
🧠 Memory Aids for "Jahrestag"
For the Article: Think of 'der Tag' (the day). An anniversary (Jahrestag) is always a specific day of the year. Both are masculine: der Tag, der Jahrestag.
For the Meaning: Imagine a chain of Jahre (years). On one specific Tag (day) each year, you mark your calendar – that's the Jahrestag (anniversary) of that event.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Jubiläum: Often used for round-number or special anniversaries (e.g., 25th anniversary is Silberhochzeit).
- Der Gedenktag: Emphasizes remembrance, often for historical or somber events (Commemoration Day).
- Der Hochzeitstag: Specifically, a wedding anniversary.
- Der Geburtstag: Technically an anniversary, but usually referred to specifically as 'birthday'.
⚠️ Similar words:
- Die Jahreszeit: Refers to the season (spring, summer, etc.), not a specific day.
- Der Jahrgang: Refers to the year of birth (for people) or production (e.g., for wine - vintage).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt sie ihn am Morgen: "Schatz, weißt du, welcher Tag heute ist?" Er überlegt fieberhaft, Panik steigt auf... "Ähm... Donnerstag?" Sie seufzt: "Unser Jahrestag... aber Donnerstag stimmt zum Glück auch."
English: She asks him in the morning: "Honey, do you know what day it is today?" He thinks frantically, panic rising... "Um... Thursday?" She sighs: "Our anniversary... but luckily, it is Thursday too."
📜 A Little Poem
German:
Ein Jahr zog hin, die Zeit verrann,
doch dieser Tag zieht uns in Bann.
Der Jahrestag, so alt, so neu,
erinnert uns, hält uns die Treu'.
Ein Lächeln, eine stille Trän',
Momente, die im Herzen steh'n.
Ein Kreis sich schließt, ein neuer naht,
auf diesem altbekannten Pfad.
English Translation:
A year went by, time slipped away,
but this one day holds special sway.
The anniversary, old yet new,
reminds us and keeps our bond true.
A smile, perhaps a silent tear,
for moments held within the heart so dear.
A circle closes, a new one starts,
upon this well-remembered path of hearts.
🤔 Who or What Am I?
German:
Ich komme jedes Jahr genau einmal,
am selben Datum, ohne Wahl.
Mal feiert man mich froh und heiter,
mal denkt man still: Die Zeit geht weiter.
Ich markiere, was vor Zeiten war.
Na, wer bin ich? Ist doch klar!
English:
I come exactly once each year,
On the same date, I reappear.
Sometimes I'm celebrated bright,
Sometimes recall a past event's light (or plight).
I mark what happened long ago.
Well, who am I? Don't you know?
Solution: Der Jahrestag (The Anniversary)
🧩 More Information
Word Formation:
The word "Jahrestag" is a compound noun, formed from:
They are joined directly. The base word "Tag" determines the gender (masculine): der Tag → der Jahrestag.
Cultural Notes:
Anniversaries (Jahrestage) play an important role in many cultures for creating continuity, nurturing memories, and honoring relationships or historical events.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jahrestag?
The word "Jahrestag" is always masculine. It is der Jahrestag (plural: die Jahrestage). It means 'anniversary' – the specific day marking the annual recurrence of a past event (like a wedding anniversary or a historical commemoration).