die
Hochzeit
💍 What does "die Hochzeit" mean?
Die Hochzeit (feminine noun) refers to the celebration or ceremony where two people enter into marriage (die Ehe). It's a significant social and often religious event.
The word originates from Middle High German hōch(ge)zīt, which initially meant “high feast” or “festivity” (hōch = high, zīt = time, feast). Only later did the meaning narrow down specifically to the wedding feast.
- Main meaning: Wedding celebration, marriage ceremony.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Time → mostly feminine.
There are many exceptions, e.g. the entire category "Weekdays, months, seasons" (masculine/der).
📊 Grammar of "Hochzeit" Explained
Hochzeit is a feminine noun, hence it uses the article die. While the ending "-t" isn't a general indicator of gender, nouns ending in -zeit (like die Mahlzeit - mealtime, die Freizeit - free time) are often feminine.
Declension:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Hochzeit | eine Hochzeit (a wedding) |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Hochzeit | einer Hochzeit (of a wedding) |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Hochzeit | einer Hochzeit (to/for a wedding) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Hochzeit | eine Hochzeit (a wedding) |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Hochzeiten | keine Hochzeiten (no weddings) |
| Genitive | der Hochzeiten | keiner Hochzeiten (of no weddings) |
| Dative | den Hochzeiten | keinen Hochzeiten (to/for no weddings) |
| Accusative | die Hochzeiten | keine Hochzeiten (no weddings) |
Example Sentences:
- Die Hochzeit von Anna und Ben war wunderschön. (Anna and Ben's wedding was beautiful.)
- Wir sind zu einer Hochzeit eingeladen. (We are invited to a wedding.)
- Während der Hochzeit wurde viel getanzt. (During the wedding, there was a lot of dancing.)
- Sie planen ihre Hochzeit für nächstes Jahr. (They are planning their wedding for next year.)
- Es gab viele Hochzeiten in diesem Sommer. (There were many weddings this summer.)
🥂 How and When to Use "Hochzeit"?
Use Hochzeit to describe the entire event of getting married, including the official ceremony (standesamtliche Trauung - civil ceremony or kirchliche Trauung - church ceremony) and the subsequent celebration.
- Typical Collocations: Hochzeit feiern (to celebrate a wedding), zu einer Hochzeit gehen/eingeladen sein (to go to/be invited to a wedding), die Hochzeit planen (to plan the wedding), eine Traumhochzeit haben (to have a dream wedding).
- Context: Family and social occasions, love, partnership, tradition.
- Distinction from similar words:
- Die Ehe: Refers to the legal and social status of being married, not the event itself. (Sie führen eine glückliche Ehe. - They have a happy marriage.)
- Die Trauung: Refers specifically to the ceremonial act of getting married, often at the registry office or church. (Die Trauung findet um 14 Uhr statt. - The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m.) A Hochzeit often includes the Trauung and the following party.
- Special Anniversaries: Silberne Hochzeit (Silver wedding anniversary - 25 years), Goldene Hochzeit (Golden wedding anniversary - 50 years), Diamantene Hochzeit (Diamond wedding anniversary - 60 years).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Hochzeit"
-
Remembering the Article (die): Many German nouns ending in -zeit are feminine (die): die Zeit (time), die Mahlzeit (mealtime), die Freizeit (free time)... and also die Hochzeit. Imagine a bride (who is female - 'die') declaring: "It's my high time!" - die Hochzeit.
-
Remembering the Meaning (wedding): Think of the original meaning "hohe Zeit" which translates to "high time" or "high feast". A wedding is often the highest and most important festive day in a couple's life – a hoch-celebrated Zeit (time/feast).
↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Eheschließung: (more formal, emphasizes the legal act) - marriage conclusion
- Trauung: (refers to the ceremony itself) - wedding ceremony
- Vermählung: (elevated, somewhat archaic) - nuptials
- Heirat: (more colloquial, can refer to the act or the celebration) - marriage, wedding
- Ja-Wort: (colloquial for the 'I do' during the ceremony) - giving one's 'yes'
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words:
- Der Hochmut: arrogance, hubris (Be careful, completely different meaning!)
😄 A Little Wedding Joke
German: Fragt der Pfarrer den Bräutigam: "Lieben Sie Ihre Braut?" Antwortet der Bräutigam: "Na klar, sonst hätte ich doch jemand anderen geheiratet!"
English: The priest asks the groom: "Do you love your bride?" The groom replies: "Of course, otherwise I would have married someone else!"
📜 A Poem for a Wedding
German:
Zwei Herzen fanden sich, ganz klar,
Zur Hochzeit stehen sie am Altar.
Ein Ring, ein Kuss, ein Ja so rein,
So soll die Liebe ewig sein.
Das Fest beginnt, die Freude lacht,
Ein neues Leben nun erwacht.
English Translation:
Two hearts have found each other, clear,
For the wedding, at the altar they appear.
A ring, a kiss, a 'yes' so pure,
May their love forever endure.
The feast begins, joy fills the air,
A new life starts beyond compare.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin ein Fest, oft groß und fein,
Zwei Menschen sagen "Ja" und sind nicht mehr allein.
Mit Ringen, Kuchen und viel Tanz,
Beginnt für sie ein neuer Lebensglanz.
Was bin ich?
English:
I am a feast, often grand and fine,
Two people say "Yes" and no longer walk a lone line.
With rings, and cake, and dancing bright,
For them begins a new life's light.
What am I?
... Die Hochzeit (The Wedding)
🧐 More Interesting Facts
- Word Composition: The word is composed of hoch (meaning festive, important, high) and Zeit (meaning time, feast, occasion). Literally a "high time" or "high feast".
- Cultural Significance: Weddings (Hochzeiten) are deeply rooted in cultures worldwide and associated with numerous customs and traditions (e.g., throwing the bouquet - Brautstraußwurf, the Polterabend in Germany - an informal party the night before where guests break porcelain).
- Idiom: "Türkische Hochzeit feiern" colloquially means to do something secretly or without much fuss (Caution: can be perceived as stereotypical).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hochzeit?
The German word "Hochzeit" is feminine. The correct article is die Hochzeit. The plural is die Hochzeiten. It means 'wedding' or 'marriage celebration'.