der
Nationalfeiertag
📅 What does "der Nationalfeiertag" mean?
Der Nationalfeiertag is the national holiday, a legal public holiday on which a state or nation celebrates an event of historical or cultural significance. It's the most important state holiday of a country.
In Germany, the Nationalfeiertag is the Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Day of German Unity) on October 3rd. It commemorates the reunification of Germany in 1990.
There is only this one article (der), as it refers to a clearly defined concept (der Tag - the day).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Nationalfeiertag
The noun "Nationalfeiertag" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Nationalfeiertag |
| Genitive | des | Nationalfeiertags / Nationalfeiertages |
| Dative | dem | Nationalfeiertag / Nationalfeiertage |
| Accusative | den | Nationalfeiertag |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Nationalfeiertage |
| Genitive | der | Nationalfeiertage |
| Dative | den | Nationalfeiertagen |
| Accusative | die | Nationalfeiertage |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Nationalfeiertag ist in Deutschland am 3. Oktober.
(The national holiday in Germany is on October 3rd.) - Wir feiern die Wiedervereinigung am Nationalfeiertag.
(We celebrate reunification on the national holiday.) - Die Geschäfte sind am Nationalfeiertag geschlossen.
(The shops are closed on the national holiday.) - Viele Länder haben unterschiedliche Nationalfeiertage.
(Many countries have different national holidays.)
🗣️ How to use "Nationalfeiertag"?
The term "Nationalfeiertag" is used to designate the main state holiday of a country.
- Official Context: In laws, announcements, and speeches.
- News & Media: Reporting on celebrations or historical background.
- Everyday Language: When talking about the day off or the significance of the day.
For Germany, the specific name "Tag der Deutschen Einheit" is more common, but "Nationalfeiertag" is the general term and is also understood.
⚠️ Don't confuse it with regional or religious holidays (regionale oder religiöse Feiertage) that are not Nationalfeiertage (e.g., Allerheiligen - All Saints' Day, Fronleichnam - Corpus Christi).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of "der Tag" (the day). A Nationalfeiertag is a day, therefore it's "der Nationalfeiertag".
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of National (relating to the nation), Feier (celebration), and Tag (day). So, it's the day the nation celebrates.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Conceptual Antonyms
- Arbeitstag / Werktag: A day on which work is normally done. (Workday / Working Day)
- Gewöhnlicher Tag: A day without special significance or celebration. (Ordinary Day)
Similar but Different Words
- Feiertag: General term for a holiday, can also be religious or regional (e.g., Weihnachten - Christmas, Ostern - Easter). A Nationalfeiertag is always a Feiertag, but not every Feiertag is a Nationalfeiertag.
- Gedenktag: A day commemorating an event, but not necessarily a public holiday (e.g., Volkstrauertag - National Day of Mourning). (Memorial Day)
😂 A Little Joke
Warum freuen sich Skelette nicht auf den Nationalfeiertag?
Weil sie keinen Körper haben, mit dem sie feiern können! 😉
Why don't skeletons look forward to the national holiday?
Because they have no body to celebrate with! 😉 (Okay, it's a bit corny, but fits the celebration theme!)
📜 A Poem for the Day
Der Nationalfeiertag, so stolz und klar,
Ein Tag für das Land, Jahr für Jahr.
Geschichte lebt auf, Erinnerung wacht,
An Einheit gedacht, bei Tag und bei Nacht.
Die Fahnen weh'n hoch im sonnigen Licht,
Ein Feiertag ist's, erfüllte Pflicht.
The national holiday, so proud and clear,
A day for the country, year after year.
History comes alive, memory awakes,
Of unity thought, through days and nights it takes.
The flags fly high in the sunny light,
A holiday it is, a duty fulfilled right.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Tag im Jahr, für alle frei,
Die Nation feiert, ist mit Stolz dabei.
In Deutschland bin ich im Oktober zu Haus,
Welcher besondere Tag bin ich, finde es heraus!
I am one day a year, free for all,
The nation celebrates, standing proud and tall.
In Germany, I'm found when October's near,
What special day am I? Make the answer clear!
Solution: Der Nationalfeiertag (The National Holiday) or Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Day of German Unity)
💡 Other Interesting Info
Word Composition: The word "Nationalfeiertag" is a compound noun, made up of:
- National: Adjective, relating to the nation.
- Feier: Noun, meaning celebration, ceremony.
- Tag: Noun, meaning day.
Date in Germany: The German national holiday, the Tag der Deutschen Einheit, has been celebrated on October 3rd since 1990.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Nationalfeiertag?
The word "Nationalfeiertag" is always masculine. The correct article is der Nationalfeiertag.