die
Gastfreundschaft
hospitality"> Meaning: Welcome, Friend!
Die Gastfreundschaft (feminine noun) describes the friendly, generous, and welcoming reception and entertainment of guests or strangers. It's the art and practice of making guests feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for. It is an abstract concept deeply rooted in many cultures.
🚨 There's only one article, die, for this word because it's a feminine noun ending in -schaft.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ft/ -schaft → almost always feminine.
All -schaft nouns are feminine, but not all -ft nouns are.
📜 Grammar Corner: Die Gastfreundschaft
The word "Gastfreundschaft" is a feminine noun. It's almost exclusively used in the singular because it's an abstract noun. The plural "Gastfreundschaften" is very rare and would refer to individual acts or demonstrations of hospitality.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Gastfreundschaft | eine Gastfreundschaft |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Gastfreundschaft | einer Gastfreundschaft |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Gastfreundschaft | einer Gastfreundschaft |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Gastfreundschaft | eine Gastfreundschaft |
(Note: The plural is omitted here due to its extreme rarity.)
📖 Example Sentences
- Die Gastfreundschaft in diesem Land ist überwältigend.
(The hospitality in this country is overwhelming.) - Wir wurden mit großer Gastfreundschaft empfangen.
(We were received with great hospitality.) - Sie dankte ihnen für ihre außerordentliche Gastfreundschaft.
(She thanked them for their extraordinary hospitality.) - Gastfreundschaft ist ein wichtiger Wert in unserer Familie.
(Hospitality is an important value in our family.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Gastfreundschaft'
"Gastfreundschaft" is used to describe the quality of reception and treatment of guests. It can refer to individuals, families, organizations, or even entire cultures.
- In everyday life: People often talk about the Gastfreundschaft they experienced (e.g., while travelling, visiting friends).
- Cultural context: Gastfreundschaft is considered a virtue and an important social value in many societies.
- Distinction: It's more than just politeness (Höflichkeit); it implies warmth (Wärme), generosity (Großzügigkeit), and making an effort for the guest's well-being.
You can speak of große (great), herzliche (heartfelt), überwältigende (overwhelming), or even mangelnde (lacking) Gastfreundschaft.
🧠 Mnemonics & Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -schaft in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Freundschaft (friendship), die Wissenschaft (science), die Landschaft (landscape)... and thus, die Gastfreundschaft.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you are a Gast (guest) being treated like a Freund (friend) – that's Gast+Freundschaft = Gastfreundschaft (hospitality)! 🏡🤝
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Herzlichkeit: Cordiality, warmth (emphasizes the warmth and friendliness).
- Gastlichkeit: Hospitality (similar, sometimes more formal or related to commercial contexts like hotels).
- Willkommenskultur: Welcoming culture (modern term, often used in the social context of welcoming foreigners).
- Bewirtung: Entertainment, catering (refers more specifically to providing food and drink).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Unfreundlichkeit: Unfriendliness (lack of friendliness towards guests).
- Abweisung/Ablehnung: Rejection, refusal (actively turning guests away).
- Gastunfreundlichkeit: Inhospitableness (direct opposite).
- Xenophobie/Fremdenfeindlichkeit: Xenophobia (strong form of rejecting strangers, often societal/political).
⚠️ Similar Words
- Freundschaft: Friendship (the relationship between friends, not necessarily in the context of guests).
- Gastrecht: Right of hospitality (a traditional or legal right granting guests protection and provision).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat der Gastgeber den Geist zum Essen eingeladen? – Wegen seiner unglaublichen Gespenstfreundschaft!
English: Why did the host invite the ghost to dinner? – Because of his unbelievable ghost-pitality! (Playing on Gastfreundschaft and Gespenst = ghost)
✍️ A Poem about Gastfreundschaft
German:
Die Tür steht offen, warm das Licht,
Ein Lächeln auf dem Angesicht.
Der Tisch gedeckt, der Wein bereit,
Willkommen hier zu jeder Zeit.
Kein Fremder soll sich einsam fühlen,
Wo Herzlichkeit die Räume kühlen.
Die Gastfreundschaft, ein edles Band,
Reicht jedem gern die offne Hand.
English Translation:
The door is open, warm the light,
A smile upon the face so bright.
The table set, the wine prepared,
Welcome here, no moment spared.
No stranger here should feel alone,
Where warmth within the rooms is sown.
Hospitality, a noble tie,
Offers an open hand nearby.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin ein Schatz, doch nicht aus Gold,
Ich mache Herzen warm, nicht kalt.
Ich öffne Türen, biete Platz,
Und schätze jeden fremden Spatz.
Ich lebe in der Geste, im Wort,
An manch gemütlich warmem Ort.
Man gibt mich gern, man nimmt mich an,
Was bin ich, sag's, wenn du es kannst?
English Translation:
I am a treasure, but not of gold,
I make hearts warm, never cold.
I open doors, offer a space,
And value strangers in this place.
I live in gesture, in the word,
In cozy, warm places preferred.
I'm gladly given, gladly received,
What am I, tell me, if believed?
Solution: die Gastfreundschaft (hospitality)
🧩 Word Origin & Trivia
The word "Gastfreundschaft" is composed of:
- Gast (masculine): Guest (person visiting or invited).
- Freundschaft (feminine): Friendship (state of being friends, affection).
The combination expresses treating a Gast (who might initially be a stranger) with the warmth and affection one would show a Freund (friend).
🌍 Culturally, Gastfreundschaft is a high value in many parts of the world, often associated with honor and social standing.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gastfreundschaft?
The word "Gastfreundschaft" is always feminine. The correct article is die Gastfreundschaft.