Feierabend

German

Etymology

Feier (“celebration”) +‎ Abend (“evening”). Originally related to Vorabend (“evening before”), it took on its current meaning in the 16th century.

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Feierabend m (genitive Feierabends, plural Feierabende)

1. (obsolete) The evening before a holiday, eve.
   • 1980, Käthe Koller, Die gute alte Zeit. Leben und Brauchtum aus dem Innviertel, page 85.

     Die Knechte mußten am Vortag nach Feierabend, der vor einem „heiligen Tag" schon um 3 Uhr begann, die Kranzlstaudn holen.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. Quitting time, hometime; the workday's end and the evening following it, used for relaxation or leisure.
   • 1951-1953, Bertolt Brecht, Coriolan.

     Mein Spass heisst Feierabend, Bier und Weiber. (Fun for me means the 'evening off' , beer and broads.)

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   Jetzt machen wir Feierabend! ― Let's call it a night!

   Schönen Feierabend! ― Have a nice evening!

Derived terms

• Feierabendarbeit
• Feierabendarbeit verrichten
• Feierabendbierchen
• Feierabendheim
• Feierabendphilosoph
• Feierabendverkehr

 

Further reading

• “Feierabend” in Duden online