die
Begrüßung
👋 What does "die Begrüßung" mean?
Die Begrüßung (noun, feminine) refers to the act of greeting or welcoming a person or people. It's the initial social signal when people meet and can be verbal (e.g., "Hallo", "Guten Tag") or non-verbal (e.g., handshake, nod, wave).
There's only this one meaning associated with the article "die". ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with the verb begrüßen (to greet).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of "die Begrüßung" in Detail
"Begrüßung" is a feminine noun. It's mostly used in the singular, but the plural ("die Begrüßungen") is possible when referring to multiple individual acts of greeting.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Begrüßung | eine Begrüßung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Begrüßung | einer Begrüßung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Begrüßung | einer Begrüßung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Begrüßung | eine Begrüßung |
Declension Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Begrüßungen | - Begrüßungen |
| Genitive | der Begrüßungen | - Begrüßungen |
| Dative | den Begrüßungen | - Begrüßungen |
| Accusative | die Begrüßungen | - Begrüßungen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die herzliche Begrüßung der Gastgeberin freute alle Gäste.
(The hostess's warm greeting pleased all the guests.) - Zur Begrüßung reichte er mir die Hand.
(He offered me his hand as a greeting.) - Nach einer kurzen Begrüßung begann die Besprechung.
(After a brief greeting, the meeting began.) - Es gab viele überschwängliche Begrüßungen am Flughafen. (Plural)
(There were many effusive greetings at the airport.)
💬 How to use "die Begrüßung"?
"Die Begrüßung" is used to describe the moment or act of greeting. The context determines the type of greeting:
- Formal: "Guten Tag", "Sehr geehrte/r...", handshake. Often in professional or official situations. (e.g., Die Begrüßung durch den Firmenchef war sehr formell. - The greeting by the CEO was very formal.)
- Informal: "Hallo", "Hi", "Servus", hug, wave. Among friends, family, or acquaintances. (e.g., Die Begrüßung unter Freunden fiel herzlich aus. - The greeting among friends was warm.)
- Written: The salutation in a letter or email is also a form of Begrüßung. (e.g., Vergiss die Begrüßung in deiner E-Mail nicht! - Don't forget the greeting in your email!)
Related words are the verb begrüßen (to greet, to welcome) and der Gruß (a single greeting expression like "Hello"). "Die Begrüßung" is the broader term for the entire act.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Begrüßung"
Article Mnemonic (die): Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Remember: The endung makes it feminine! This applies to die Begrüßung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a warm welcome – a gesture of opening up. This welcoming act, the Begrüßung, feels inherently warm and receptive, which you can associate with the feminine article die.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Der Gruß: Often interchangeable, but "Gruß" can also be a message (e.g., "Viele Grüße" - Best regards). "Begrüßung" is usually the act of receiving someone.
- Der Empfang: Often refers to a more formal situation or the reception area (e.g., hotel reception), but can also be used synonymously for greeting/welcome.
- Das Willkommen: Emphasizes the feeling of being welcome. Often used as an exclamation ("Herzlich willkommen!" - Welcome!) or noun ("Ein herzliches Willkommen" - A warm welcome).
- Die Anrede: Specifically the written or spoken formula at the beginning (e.g., "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" - Dear Sir or Madam).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Der Abschied: The farewell, the departure; the opposite of greeting.
- Die Verabschiedung: The formal act of saying goodbye.
⚠️ Similar Words:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum war die Begrüßung auf der Party so kurz?
Weil alle schon "Hallo" gesagt hatten, bevor sie überhaupt anfing!
(Why was the greeting at the party so short?
Because everyone had already said "Hello" before it even started!)
📜 A Poem about Greeting
Ein Wort, ein Nicken, Hand in Hand,
Die Begrüßung knüpft das erste Band.
Ob "Hallo", "Grüezi" oder "Moin",
Sie lässt uns kurz zusammen sein.
Ein Lächeln hell, ein offner Blick,
Bringt Freude und das Glück zurück.
(A word, a nod, hand in hand,
The greeting forms the first bond.
Whether "Hello", "Grüezi" or "Moin",
It lets us be together briefly.
A bright smile, an open gaze,
Brings back joy and happy days.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin der Anfang, nie das End'.
Man gibt mich oft mit einer Händ'.
Ob laut gesagt, ob still gedacht,
Ich werde beim Treffen gemacht.
Was bin ich?
(I am the beginning, never the end.
I'm often given with a hand.
Whether said aloud, or thought silently,
I am made when people meet.
What am I?)
(Answer: Die Begrüßung - The greeting)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition: The word "Begrüßung" is a nominalization of the verb "begrüßen" (to greet). It consists of:
- Prefix be-: Often makes verbs transitive or intensifies them.
- Stem grüß-: From the verb "grüßen" (to greet).
- Suffix -ung: Forms feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or result.
Cultural Differences: Greeting rituals vary widely across the globe (bowing in Japan, cheek kisses in France, etc.). The German Begrüßung often features a firm handshake and direct eye contact, especially in formal contexts.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Begrüßung?
The word "Begrüßung" is always feminine. The correct article is exclusively die Begrüßung.