German word

Spatenstich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃpaːtn̩ˌʃtɪç/

Meaning

  • masculine noungroundbreaking ceremony

Example

Wir feiern heute den Spatenstich für den neuen Park.

Today we are celebrating the groundbreaking ceremony for the new park.

Illustration for Spatenstich (groundbreaking ceremony)

More examples

Beim Spatenstich gab es symbolische Reden und Fotos.

There were symbolic speeches and photos at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Core concept

A ceremonial spade breaks the first patch of ground while a new construction project officially begins.

Common phrases

  • symbolischer Spatenstich

    symbolic groundbreaking ceremony

  • den Spatenstich ansetzen

    set a date for the groundbreaking ceremony

Similar words

Grundsteinlegung: A ceremony marking the start of construction by laying a ceremonial foundation stone or capsule.
Baubeginn: The point when construction work actually begins.
Richtfest: A ceremony celebrating completion of a building's roof framework.
Eröffnung: A ceremony formally opening a completed building or facility.

Definition in German

Offizielle Zeremonie zum Start von Bauarbeiten, bei der symbolisch mit einem Spaten die Erde geöffnet wird.

Word origin

The compound joins Spaten, a spade, and Stich, an act of piercing or stabbing, describing the symbolic digging action.

Usage tips

  • German commonly uses the preposition zum in phrases such as zum Spatenstich, with zum combining zu and dem.

Other meanings

  • turning of the first sodnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Spatenstichtermindate of the groundbreaking ceremonynoun

Word lists with this word