das Gelage
feast
A prolonged, often indulgent celebration with plenty of food and drink.
EXAMPLE
Die Ritter veranstalteten bis tief in die Nacht ein ausgelassenes Gelage.
The knights held a boisterous feast that lasted late into the night.
das Gelage
feast
das Gelage, die Gelage
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Gelage, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Gelage |
| genitive | des Gelages |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Gelage | die Gelage |
| accusative | das Gelage | die Gelage |
| dative | dem Gelage | den Gelagen |
| genitive | des Gelages | der Gelage |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Register and style
'Gelage' (feast) often has a literary feel and is especially common in historical narratives. It can also carry a critical tone when excessive eating and drinking are emphasized.
EXAMPLE
Während die Bevölkerung hungerte, feierte der König prächtige Gelage.
While the population went hungry, the king held lavish feasts.
Typical collocations
Typical collocations are 'ein Gelage veranstalten' (to organize a feast) and 'ein Gelage abhalten' (to hold a feast). Use 'an einem Gelage teilnehmen' (to attend a feast) to describe taking part as a guest.
EXAMPLE
Zur Hochzeit des Grafen wurde auf der Burg ein dreitägiges Gelage abgehalten.
A three-day feast was held at the castle for the count's wedding.
Typical sentence pattern
In the expression 'in ein Gelage ausarten' (to degenerate into a feast), 'in' is followed by the accusative case. This pattern expresses that an event is becoming increasingly indulgent and presents this development negatively.
EXAMPLE
Das gemeinsame Abendessen artete in ein lautstarkes Gelage aus.
The dinner together degenerated into a rowdy feast.
In real life
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