German Conversation · Level 69
59 words
German word
Heirat
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈhaɪ̯ʁaːt/
Meaning
- feminine nounmarriage
Example
Nach der Heirat zogen sie zusammen.
After their marriage, they moved in together.
More examples
Sie wollten die Heirat im kleinen Kreis feiern.
They wanted to celebrate the marriage with a small group.
Core concept
A marriage begins at the point when two people become spouses, while the surrounding celebration may be called a wedding.
Common phrases
nach der Heirat
after the marriage
die Heirat feiern
celebrate the marriage
eine Heirat schließen
enter into a marriage
Similar words
Ehe: The state of marriage and the status of being a married couple.
Hochzeit: The celebration and festivities marking a couple's marriage.
Trauung: The formal ceremony in which a marriage is officially solemnized.
Eheschließung: The formal legal act of entering into a marriage.
Definition in German
Das rechtliche Zustandekommen einer Ehe, also der Moment oder die Handlung, in der zwei Personen Ehepartner werden.
Word origin
Heirat is an inherited Germanic noun related to heiraten; its historical forms referred to the union or marriage of a couple.
Usage tips
- English wedding can mean the ceremony, but Heirat usually focuses on the marriage itself or its legal conclusion.