die  Bewirtung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈvɪʁtʊŋ/

🍽️ What exactly is 'die Bewirtung'?

Die Bewirtung refers to the act of providing guests or customers with food and drinks. It's the act of hosting and catering.

In essence, it's about:

• Offering food and beverages.
• Showing hospitality (Gastfreundschaft), ensuring guests feel comfortable.
• This can take place in a private setting (e.g., at home), a business context (e.g., meeting, conference), or in the hospitality industry (restaurant, hotel).

It is a feminine noun (die) and is mostly used in the singular. The plural (die Bewirtungen) is rare and refers to multiple separate hosting or catering events.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Insights

The word "Bewirtung" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Declension

Here's how 'die Bewirtung' changes in the different German cases (Fälle):

Example Sentences

• Die Bewirtung der Gäste war ausgezeichnet.
  (The hospitality/catering for the guests was excellent.)
• Wir danken Ihnen für die freundliche Bewirtung.
  (We thank you for the kind hospitality/service.)
• Die Kosten für die Bewirtung können steuerlich abgesetzt werden.
  (The costs for the entertainment/catering can be tax-deducted.)
• Nach der Konferenz gab es noch eine kleine Bewirtung.
  (After the conference, there was some light refreshment/catering.)

💡 How is 'Bewirtung' used?

'Bewirtung' is often used in more formal contexts, but it's also common in private settings.

• Business: Refers to entertaining business partners or clients. An important related term is 'Bewirtungskosten' (entertainment expenses) or 'Bewirtungsbeleg' (receipt for business entertainment).
• Events: At conferences, seminars, parties, or receptions, 'Bewirtung' is a central component.
• Gastronomy: Restaurants and hotels offer professional 'Bewirtung'.
• Private: When you host guests at home and offer them food and drinks, this is also 'Bewirtung', although one might more commonly speak of 'Gastfreundschaft' (hospitality).

Distinction: While 'Gastfreundschaft' (die) describes the general attitude and friendly reception of guests, 'Bewirtung' focuses more specifically on the concrete act of providing food and drink.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Bewirtung'

For the article 'die': Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (like die Heizung - heating, die Meinung - opinion, die Rechnung - bill). This applies to die Bewirtung. Also, think of related feminine words like die Versorgung (provision) or die Gastfreundschaft (hospitality).

For the meaning: Imagine a friendly host, 'der Wirt' (innkeeper), providing ('be-') you with food and drinks. The action he performs is the 'Be-Wirt-ung'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Ober den Gast: "War die Bewirtung nach Ihrem Geschmack?"
Sagt der Gast: "Naja, das Essen war gut, aber Ihr Daumen in meiner Suppe hat mich doch etwas gestört."
Ober: "Keine Sorge, die Suppe war nicht heiß!"

Translation:
The waiter asks the guest: "Was the service/hospitality to your liking?"
The guest says: "Well, the food was good, but your thumb in my soup bothered me a bit."
Waiter: "Don't worry, the soup wasn't hot!"

📜 Poem about Bewirtung

Der Tisch gedeckt, das Glas gefüllt,
Ein Lächeln, das die Herzen stillt.
Mit Speis' und Trank, so fein und gut,
Die Bewirtung macht uns frohen Mut.
Ob Freund, ob Fremder, hier als Gast,
Fühlt man sich wohl, nimmt gerne Rast.

Translation:
The table set, the glass filled full,
A smile that makes the heart feel cool.
With food and drink, so fine and good,
The hospitality brings cheerful mood.
Be it friend or stranger, here as guest,
One feels at ease, takes gladly rest.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Dienst, mal groß, mal klein,
Lad' dich zu Speis und Tranke ein.
Bei Festen, Treffen, froher Rund',
Tu ich mein Bestes kund.
Der Gastgeber sorgt gut für dich,
Wie nennt man das, sag's sicherlich?

Translation:
I am a service, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Inviting you to food and drink for all.
At parties, meetings, happy rounds,
I make my best efforts known around.
The host takes good care of you,
What am I called, tell me true?

Solution: die Bewirtung

🧩 Word Details

Word Composition:

The word "Bewirtung" is composed of:

• The prefix be-: often used to make verbs transitive or describe an action directed at something.
• The stem of the verb wirten (rarely used alone, more common in "bewirten"): derived from the noun "der Wirt" (host, innkeeper).
• The suffix -ung: creates feminine nouns indicating an action, process, or its result.

Related Terms:

• bewirten (verb): to host, entertain, serve food/drinks to someone.
• der Wirt / die Wirtin: host/hostess, innkeeper.
• die Gastwirtschaft: pub, inn, restaurant.
• der Bewirtungsbeleg / die Bewirtungskosten: Receipt for business entertainment / entertainment expenses (important in business/tax contexts).