die  Trauung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtʁaʊ̯ʊŋ/

💍 What Exactly is a 'Trauung'?

Die Trauung (noun, feminine) refers to the official act of getting married, the ceremony where two people enter into matrimony. It can be performed either civilly (*standesamtlich*) or religiously (*kirchlich*), or as a free ceremony.

• Standesamtliche Trauung: The legally binding act before a registrar (*Standesbeamter*).
• Kirchliche Trauung: The religious ceremony in a church, often following the civil one.
• Freie Trauung: An individual ceremony without legal or strict religious ties.

The word derives from the verb trauen, which here means *'to marry someone off'* or *'to perform the marriage ceremony'*. It also means *'to trust'* or *'to dare'*.

⚠️ Important: Die Trauung is the ceremony itself, whereas die Hochzeit often means the entire event (ceremony + celebration), and die Ehe describes the legal status after the *Trauung*.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Trauung

The word 'Trauung' is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural 'die Trauungen' is used less frequently but is correct when referring to multiple individual ceremonies.

Example Sentences 📜

1. Die standesamtliche Trauung findet im Rathaus statt.
   (The civil wedding ceremony takes place in the town hall.)
2. Wir erinnern uns gerne an unsere kirchliche Trauung zurück.
   (We fondly remember our church wedding ceremony.)
3. Während der Trauung flossen viele Freudentränen.
   (During the ceremony, many tears of joy were shed.)
4. Das Paar wünscht sich eine freie Trauung am Strand.
   (The couple wishes for a free ceremony on the beach.)
5. In diesem Jahr gab es im Standesamt besonders viele Trauungen.
   (This year, there were particularly many wedding ceremonies at the registry office.)

💬 How to Use 'Trauung'?

The term die Trauung is used specifically for the formal act of getting married.

• Context: You talk about a *Trauung* in connection with registry offices (*Standesämter*), churches (*Kirchen*), wedding planning, and the legal or ceremonial process of entering into a marriage (*Ehe*).
• Difference from 'Hochzeit': While Hochzeit (*wedding*) often includes the entire event including the celebration, Trauung primarily refers to the ceremony itself. Example: „Die Trauung war kurz, aber die Hochzeit dauerte bis zum Morgen.“ (*The ceremony was short, but the wedding lasted until morning.*)
• Difference from 'Ehe': Ehe (*marriage*) refers to the state of being married after the *Trauung*. Example: „Nach der Trauung begann ihre glückliche Ehe.“ (*After the ceremony, their happy marriage began.*)
• Common Phrases: „standesamtliche Trauung“ (*civil ceremony*), „kirchliche Trauung“ (*church ceremony*), „freie Trauung“ (*free ceremony*), „zur Trauung gehen“ (*to go to the wedding ceremony*).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Trauung'

Article Mnemonic: German nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (*die*). Think of *die Rechnung* (the bill), *die Wohnung* (the apartment)... and thus die Trauung!

Meaning Mnemonic: To get married, you need to trauen (dare) and have Vertrauen (trust) in each other. This act of daring and trust is the Trauung.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potentially Confusing Words ⚠️

• Hochzeit: Often includes more than just the *Trauung* (e.g., party, reception). It's the broader term for *wedding*.
• Ehe: The state of being married (*marriage*), not the ceremony.
• Verlobung: The promise to marry (*engagement*), which happens before the *Trauung*.

😂 A Little Wedding Joke

German: Fragt der Standesbeamte den Bräutigam: „Sind Sie sich sicher, dass Sie diese Frau heiraten wollen? Das ist ein großer Schritt!“ Antwortet der Bräutigam: „Naja, irgendwer muss es ja tun!“

English Translation: The registrar asks the groom: "Are you sure you want to marry this woman? It's a big step!" The groom replies: "Well, someone has to do it!"

✍️ Poem about the Ceremony

German:
Zwei Herzen, ein Versprechen heut,
Vor Amt, vor Gott, vor Freudigkeit.
Ein Ring, ein Kuss, ein leises Wort,
Die Trauung bindet fort und fort.
Ein neuer Weg beginnt zu zweit,
Gewoben aus Vertrautheit.

English Translation:
Two hearts, a promise made today,
Before the state, God, come what may.
A ring, a kiss, a word spoken low,
The ceremony binds, helps love grow.
A new path starts for two,
Woven from trust, forever true.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Akt, kein langer Pakt,
mal im Amt, mal heilig bedacht.
Zwei sagen „Ja“, besiegeln Glück,
mit Ring am Finger, Stück für Stück.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am an act, not a lengthy pact,
Sometimes official, sometimes sacredly backed.
Two say "I do," sealing their bliss,
With a ring on the finger, sealed with a kiss.

What am I?

(Answer: die Trauung / the wedding ceremony)

✨ Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

• The word 'Trauung' is formed by nominalizing the verb *'trauen'* (in the sense of *to marry*) with the suffix *'-ung'*. This suffix typically creates feminine nouns indicating an action or its result.
• The verb *'trauen'* itself has an interesting dual meaning: *'to dare'* and *'to trust'*, both aspects relevant to entering into marriage. One dares to take the step and trusts the partner.

Cultural Note (Kulturelles):

• In Germany, the civil ceremony (*standesamtliche Trauung*) is legally required for a marriage to be valid. The church ceremony (*kirchliche Trauung*) only holds religious significance.