German word

Gottesdienst

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgɔtəsˌdiːnst/

Meaning

  • masculine nounchurch service

Example

Der Gottesdienst beginnt um zehn Uhr.

The church service begins at ten o'clock.

Illustration for Gottesdienst (church service)

More examples

Ich gehe sonntags in den Gottesdienst.

I go to the church service on Sundays.

Core concept

A scheduled communal act of worship led around shared words, music, and preaching.

Common phrases

  • in den Gottesdienst gehen

    go to the church service

  • am Gottesdienst teilnehmen

    attend the church service

  • nach dem Gottesdienst

    after the church service

Similar words

Kirche: A building where Christian worship services are held.
Messe: A Catholic worship service, often including prayers, readings, and Communion.
Gebet: Words or silent thoughts offered to God by an individual or group.
Predigt: A talk about faith based on the Bible, given by a priest or pastor.

Definition in German

Religiöse Feier, meist christlich, bei der die Gemeinde gemeinsam betet, singt und eine Predigt hört.

Word origin

The compound Gottesdienst joins Gott, 'God,' with Dienst, a Germanic noun for service or duty, and originally presents worship as service to God.

Usage tips

  • The usual phrase for attending is an einem Gottesdienst teilnehmen, because teilnehmen takes an + dative.

Opposites

  • Weltlichkeitworldlinessnoun
  • Weltlichesworldly thingsnoun

Related words

  • gottesdienstlichworship-relatedadjective
  • Gottesdienstbesuchattendance at church servicesnoun

Word lists with this word