die  Hommage

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɔmaˈʒeː/

🧐 What Exactly is a Hommage?

The word die Hommage (pronounced [ɔˈmaːʒ] or [hɔˈmaːʒ]) is a noun borrowed from French, meaning a public act of showing respect, a tribute, or an acknowledgment of a person, a work, or an achievement. It's often used in artistic and cultural contexts to express respect or admiration, for instance, when an artist creates a work in the style of another to honor them.

There is only the feminine article die for this word. It always describes an act of showing deference or respect.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of Respect: die Hommage

The noun „Hommage“ is feminine. It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

• Der Film ist eine wunderbare Hommage an die Stummfilmzeit. (The film is a wonderful homage to the silent film era.)
• Mit dieser Ausstellung erweist das Museum dem Künstler eine späte Hommage. (With this exhibition, the museum pays a late tribute to the artist.)
• Viele Regisseure integrieren kleine Hommagen an ihre Vorbilder in ihre Filme. (Many directors integrate small homages to their role models into their films.)

🌐 Usage in Daily Life and Culture

The term Hommage is primarily used in more formal or educated language, as well as in cultural and artistic discourse. One speaks of an „Hommage an jemanden/etwas“ (an homage to someone/something).

• In art: A painter cites the style of an old master as an Hommage.
• In film: A director includes a scene reminiscent of a classic film as an Hommage.
• In music: A composer dedicates a piece to an admired colleague as an Hommage.
• In general: A speech or text can be written as an Hommage to a distinguished personality.

Compared to Tribut (tribute) or Ehrung (honor), Hommage often has a more specific connotation referring to a stylistic or content-related reference, especially in creative works. It's less common in everyday speech than Anerkennung (recognition) or Respekt (respect).

💡 Mnemonics for 'die Hommage'

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Ehrung (the honoring) or die Würdigung (the appreciation) – both are feminine words in German, just like die Hommage. They all express respect.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Hommage' sounds a bit like 'home age'. Imagine paying respect from your 'home' turf (your own art/work) to the masters of a past 'age'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words:

• Omen: An omen or portent (sounds vaguely similar but unrelated).
• Image: The image or reputation of a person or thing (also sounds slightly similar).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Kunststudent den anderen: „Ist dein neues Bild eine Hommage an Picasso?“ Sagt der andere: „Nein, eher eine Omage an meine Oma – sie hat mir die Farben geschenkt!“

Translation: One art student asks another: "Is your new painting an homage to Picasso?" The other replies: "No, more like an 'omage' to my grandma – she gave me the paints!" (Plays on the common misspelling/mispronunciation 'Omage' and the word 'Oma' for grandma).

✒️ Poem about Hommage

Ein Pinselstrich, ein leiser Ton,
als Echo längst vergangner Fron?
Nein, heut ist's Ehrung, sanft und licht,
die Hommage, die aus Respekt spricht.
Dem Meister, der den Weg gewiesen,
wird Dankbarkeit empor gepriesen.

Translation:
A brushstroke, a soft sound,
As an echo of labours long past abound?
No, today it's honor, gentle and bright,
the homage, that speaks from respect's light.
To the master who showed the way,
Gratitude is praised and put on display.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Wort aus Frankreichs Land,
reich' Künstlern oft die ehrenvolle Hand.
Bin weder Lob noch schlichter Dank,
doch zeige Respekt im vollen Klang.
Man zollt mich Werken, groß und alt,
mein Wesen ist die Ehrerbietung kalt?
Nein, warm und voller Anerkennung fein.
Mit „die“ steh ich im Deutschen – wer mag ich sein?

Translation:
I am a word from France's land,
Often lending artists an honoring hand.
I'm neither praise nor simple thanks,
But show respect that fully ranks.
Paid to works both grand and old,
Is my nature reverence cold?
No, warm and full of recognition fine.
With "die" I stand in German – what word of mine?

Solution: die Hommage

ℹ️ Other Interesting Details

• Origin: The word comes from the French hommage, which originally referred to the declaration of fealty by a vassal to his lord in the Middle Ages (from Latin homo = man, vassal). Today's meaning evolved from this as a general expression of deference.
• Pronunciation: Stress is on the second syllable: [ɔˈmaːʒ] or [hɔˈmaːʒ]. The initial 'H' can be silent (French style) or pronounced (Germanized).
• Common Mistake: It is sometimes misspelled or mispronounced as „Omage“.