Ash Wednesday
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Ash Wednesday
The first day of Lent in Christianity, which follows Carnival Tuesday. It marks the beginning of the 40-day period of preparation for Easter.
Am Aschermittwoch gehen viele Gläubige in die Kirche, um das Aschenkreuz zu empfangen.
On Ash Wednesday, many believers go to church to receive the ash cross.
The word is made up of 'Asche' (ash) and 'Mittwoch' (Wednesday). The name comes from the Christian custom of drawing a cross of ash on believers' foreheads on this day.
Der Priester zeichnete den Kindern das Aschenkreuz auf die Stirn.
The priest drew the ash cross on the children's foreheads.
Ash Wednesday marks the end of the Carnival season (also called 'Fasching') and the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent, which prepares for Easter.
Nach den lauten Karnevalstagen beginnt am Aschermittwoch eine ruhigere Zeit.
After the loud Carnival days, a quieter period begins on Ash Wednesday.
To distinguish the political meaning from the religious one, pay attention to the adjective 'politisch' (political). The fixed expression 'politischer Aschermittwoch' (Political Ash Wednesday) always refers to the party events.
Ohne das Wort „politisch“ meint „Aschermittwoch“ fast immer den Feiertag.
Without the word 'politisch' (political), 'Aschermittwoch' (Ash Wednesday) almost always means the holiday.
'Politischer Aschermittwoch' (Political Ash Wednesday) is a special tradition in German politics. On this day, the parties give major speeches in which they often criticize their political opponents sharply and humorously.
Viele Menschen verfolgen die Reden vom politischen Aschermittwoch im Fernsehen.
Many people watch the speeches from Political Ash Wednesday on television.
Rose Monday
'der Aschermittwoch' (Ash Wednesday) and 'der Rosenmontag' (Rose Monday) both belong to the period around Carnival, but they refer to different days. Rose Monday is the Monday before Ash Wednesday and is considered the peak of Carnival in many regions, with parades. Ash Wednesday comes after that and, in Christianity, marks the beginning of Lent; in addition, Germany has 'politischer Aschermittwoch' (Political Ash Wednesday). Learners may confuse the words because both are fixed names in the Carnival calendar. Remember: Rose Monday is about celebrating; Ash Wednesday comes afterward and marks the beginning of Lent.
Am Aschermittwoch beginnt für viele Christen die Fastenzeit.
On Ash Wednesday, Lent begins for many Christians.
Am Rosenmontag ziehen in Köln viele bunte Wagen durch die Straßen.
On Rose Monday, many colorful floats move through the streets of Cologne.