die  Messe

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmɛsə/

What does 'die Messe' mean?

The German word die Messe (feminine) primarily has two distinct meanings:

• 1. Trade Fair / Exhibition : An event where companies present and sell their products or services. Often geared towards a professional audience or the general public. Example: die Frankfurter Buchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair), eine Automobilmesse (a car show).
• 2. Mass / Church Service (Catholic) : The celebration of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church. The term can sometimes be used in other denominations for the main church service. Example: die Sonntagsmesse (Sunday mass), eine Messe lesen (to read/celebrate mass).

🚨 Although both meanings use the same word and the same article, they are clearly distinguished by context. The plural for both meanings is die Messen.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar & Declension: die Messe

The noun "Messe" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. (Meaning: Trade Fair) Wir besuchen jedes Jahr die Buchmesse in Leipzig.
   (We visit the book fair in Leipzig every year.)
2. (Meaning: Trade Fair) Auf der Messe haben wir viele neue Kontakte geknüpft.
   (We made many new contacts at the trade fair.)
3. (Meaning: Mass) Die Familie geht sonntags zur Messe.
   (The family goes to mass on Sundays.)
4. (Meaning: Mass) Der Priester zelebrierte eine feierliche Messe.
   (The priest celebrated a solemn mass.)

How to use 'die Messe'?

The usage of "die Messe" heavily depends on the context:

• In an economic/business context: It almost always refers to a trade fair or exhibition. You talk about Messebesucher (fair visitors), Messestände (exhibition booths), Messegelände (exhibition grounds), etc. Typical verbs are: eine Messe besuchen (to visit a fair), auf einer Messe ausstellen (to exhibit at a fair), eine Messe veranstalten (to organize a fair).
• In a religious context: It refers to the Catholic mass. You talk about: zur Messe gehen (to go to mass), eine Messe lesen/feiern/zelebrieren (to read/celebrate mass), die heilige Messe (the Holy Mass).

⚠️ Potential Confusion: The word "Messe" should not be confused with the verb messen (to measure). Although they sound similar, they are unrelated. The corresponding noun for the verb 'messen' would be das Maß (the measure/measurement) or die Messung (the measurement).

Example:

• Wir messen die Temperatur. (We measure the temperature. - Verb)
• Wir besuchen die Technik-Messe. (We visit the technology fair. - Noun)

Mnemonics for 'die Messe'

For the article 'die': Think that both die Ausstellung (the exhibition) and die Kirche (the church) are feminine in German. The trade fair (Messe) often happens in a large hall – die Halle. This helps remember: die Messe.

For the meanings:
1. Messe (Trade Fair): Imagine a huge mass of people going to the trade fair, and it might get a bit messy due to all the booths and crowds. 2. Messe (Mass/Service): Think of the Latin phrase "Ite, missa est" (Go, it is the dismissal), the concluding words of the Latin Mass. Or think of a divine "message" being delivered during the mass (Messe).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• messen (verb): To measure size, length, temperature, etc. (Er misst den Tisch. - He measures the table.)
• das Messer (noun, neuter): A knife. (Gib mir bitte das Messer. - Please give me the knife.)

A little joke

Fragt der Pfarrer nach der Messe einen Kirchgänger: "Na, wie hat Ihnen meine Predigt heute gefallen?" Antwortet der Mann: "Sehr gut, Herr Pfarrer! Aber die Messe war etwas lang." Sagt der Pfarrer: "Kein Problem, nächste Woche halte ich eine 'Messe Light'!"

Translation: After mass, the priest asks a churchgoer: "Well, how did you like my sermon today?" The man replies: "Very good, Father! But the mass (Messe) was a bit long." The priest says: "No problem, next week I'll hold a 'Mass Light'!" (A pun on 'Messe' also meaning 'trade fair' and 'light' products.)

Poem about Messe

Die Messe – Zwei Welten

In Hallen groß, mit Glanz und Licht,
zeigt Technik, was sie neu verspricht.
Von Stand zu Stand, ein buntes Treiben,
Geschäfte soll'n hier Früchte treiben.
Das ist die Messe, laut und klar,
für Handel, Fortschritt, Jahr für Jahr.

In Mauern alt, bei Kerzenschein,
tritt Stille in die Herzen ein.
Mit Weihrauchduft und Chorgesang,
wird Gottes Wort gehört, Stund' lang.
Das ist die Messe, fromm und rein,
soll Trost und Hoffnung für uns sein.

Translation: The Fair / The Mass - Two Worlds

In halls so grand, with light and gleam,
Tech shows its newest, waking dream.
From booth to booth, a colorful roam,
Where business aims to find a home.
That is die Messe, loud and clear,
For trade and progress, year by year.

In ancient walls, by candlelight,
Silence enters hearts, feels right.
With incense scent and choir's song,
God's word is heard, for hours long.
That is die Messe, pious, pure,
May it bring comfort, hope ensure.

Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Ort für Händler sein,
mit Neuheiten, groß und klein.
Ich kann auch heilig sein und still,
wo Glaube an den Himmel will.
Mal laut, mal leise, immer 'die',
Sag schnell, wie nennt man wohl sie?

Translation:
I can be a place for traders' might,
With novelties, both big and slight.
I can be holy, silent, deep,
Where faith towards the heavens leap.
Sometimes loud, sometimes low, always 'die' (she),
Tell me quickly, what could I be?

Solution: die Messe

Other Information

Compound Words (Examples):

• Messegelände: The grounds/area where a trade fair takes place.
• Messestand: An exhibitor's booth/stand at a trade fair.
• Messebesucher: A visitor to a trade fair.
• Buchmesse: A book fair (specifically for books and publishers).
• Sonntagsmesse: Sunday mass.
• Messdiener: Altar server (often young) assisting the priest during mass.

Etymology (Word Origin):

The word "Messe" in the sense of church service comes from the Latin word missa. This is part of the concluding phrase of the Latin Mass: "Ite, missa est" (Go, it is the dismissal/sending). The meaning "trade fair" developed later, possibly from markets that were often held on church holidays (after mass).