German word

feiern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfaɪ̯ɐn/

Meaning

  • verbcelebrate

Example

Wir feiern heute seinen Geburtstag.

We are celebrating his birthday today.

Illustration for feiern (celebrate)

More examples

Die Familie feiert Weihnachten zusammen.

The family celebrates Christmas together.

Core concept

A shared high point draws people together: the occasion becomes a party, and the honored person or achievement receives public praise.

Common phrases

  • Weihnachten feiern

    celebrate Christmas

  • ein Fest feiern

    celebrate a festival

  • den Erfolg feiern

    celebrate the success

Similar words

gratulieren: Offer someone congratulations on a special event or achievement.
anstoßen: Raise a glass in a toast to mark an occasion.
loben: Express approval of someone's qualities or actions with praise.
mitfeiern: Join others in celebrating an occasion or achievement.

Definition in German

Eine Person, ein Ereignis oder einen Erfolg mit anderen zusammen begehen und dabei Freude zeigen

Word origin

The verb feiern comes through Middle High German vîren from Latin feriae, a word for religious holidays and festival days.

Usage tips

  • The person honored takes the accusative in jemanden feiern, while an event also takes the accusative in einen Geburtstag feiern.

Other meanings

  • partyverb
  • honorverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Feierabendend of the workdaynoun
  • die Feiercelebrationnoun

Word lists with this word