to celebrate
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to celebrate
To mark a special occasion such as a birthday, festival, or success with other people, often with a party.
Wir feiern am Samstag den 80. Geburtstag meiner Oma.
We're celebrating my grandma's 80th birthday on Saturday.
The verb 'feiern' (to celebrate) is typically connected with positive, special events. Common combinations are 'Geburtstag feiern' (to celebrate a birthday), 'Hochzeit feiern' (to celebrate a wedding), 'Jubiläum feiern' (to celebrate an anniversary), or 'einen Sieg feiern' (to celebrate a victory).
Nächstes Jahr feiern wir unser zehnjähriges Firmenjubiläum.
Next year we are celebrating our company's tenth anniversary.
In colloquial language, 'feiern' (to celebrate) or 'feiern gehen' often simply means 'to have a party' or 'to go out and have fun', even without a specific occasion.
Kommst du am Freitag mit uns feiern?
Are you coming to celebrate with us on Friday?
While you celebrate occasions (meaning 1), you can also cheer people or groups for an achievement. The object of the verb here is usually a person, an artist, or a team.
Das Publikum feierte den Pianisten mit stehenden Ovationen.
The audience celebrated the pianist with a standing ovation.
The construction 'sich feiern lassen' (to let oneself be celebrated) is reflexive and describes that a person is at the center of recognition and enjoys it. The person is the subject of the sentence.
Nach ihrem Tor ließ sich die Stürmerin von den Fans feiern.
After her goal, the striker let herself be celebrated by the fans.
to commit / to celebrate
'feiern' and 'begehen' can both mean that you mark or honor a special day or occasion. 'feiern' is the normal everyday word and often sounds joyful: you think of guests, food, music, or a party. 'begehen' is more formal and fits better with anniversaries, holidays, or official events. It says more that you observe the occasion in a particular way, not necessarily loudly or with a party. Learners may confuse the words because both can be used for celebrations. For birthdays and private celebrations, 'feiern' is usually more natural; for official or ceremonial occasions, 'begehen' fits better.
Am Samstag feiern wir den Geburtstag meiner Mutter mit der ganzen Familie.
On Saturday, we are celebrating my mother's birthday with the whole family.
Die Stadt begeht ihr Jubiläum mit einer offiziellen Veranstaltung im Rathaus.
The city is celebrating its anniversary with an official event at city hall.