German word

Karfreitag

Pronunciation

IPA/kaːɐ̯ˈfʁaɪ̯taːk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounGood Friday

Example

Am Karfreitag sind in vielen Regionen die Geschäfte geschlossen.

Stores are closed in many regions on Good Friday.

Illustration for Karfreitag (Good Friday)

More examples

Viele Menschen besuchen am Karfreitag einen Gottesdienst.

Many people attend a service on Good Friday.

Core concept

A solemn Friday centered on remembrance of Jesus' suffering and marked by a quiet public pause before Easter.

Common phrases

  • am Karfreitag

    on Good Friday

  • stiller Karfreitag

    quiet Good Friday

  • Gottesdienst am Karfreitag

    Good Friday service

Similar words

Feiertag: A legally or socially recognized day when work and schools are generally suspended.
Stiller Feiertag: A special public holiday marked by limits on noisy activities and an expectation of quiet.
Kirchlicher Feiertag: A religious holiday observed through church services or other religious events.

Definition in German

Karfreitag ist in Deutschland ein gesetzlicher Feiertag am Freitag vor Ostern, an dem Christen an das Leiden Jesu erinnern.

Word origin

Karfreitag combines the older Germanic noun Kar, meaning lament or mourning, with Freitag, the Germanic-named day of Friday.

Usage tips

  • Karfreitag is masculine, so the standard phrase is am Karfreitag, a contraction of an dem Karfreitag.

Opposites

Related words

  • KarfreitagsgottesdienstGood Friday servicenoun
  • KarfreitagsprozessionGood Friday processionnoun

Word lists with this word