sociability / conviviality
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sociability / conviviality
The pleasant and entertaining experience of being together with other people. It describes a friendly and open atmosphere in a group.
Nach dem offiziellen Teil der Feier saßen wir noch lange zusammen und genossen die Geselligkeit.
After the official part of the celebration, we sat together for a long time and enjoyed the conviviality.
The word is derived from the adjective 'gesellig' (sociable). The ending '-keit' is a typical way in German to form abstract nouns from adjectives that describe a quality or state.
Er ist ein sehr geselliger Mensch und immer für einen Spaß zu haben.
He is a very sociable person and always up for a bit of fun.
The root of the word is 'der Geselle', which used to refer to a journeyman craftsman or companion. The idea of being together with other people is therefore contained directly in the word stem.
Früher zogen die Gesellen von Stadt zu Stadt, um zu lernen.
In the past, journeymen traveled from town to town in order to learn.
'Geselligkeit' (sociability/conviviality) is often combined with verbs of enjoying or appreciating. A very common phrase is also 'in geselliger Runde sitzen' (to sit together in good company), used to describe an informal gathering.
Am Wochenende schätze ich die Geselligkeit mit meinen Freunden.
On the weekend, I appreciate the sociability of spending time with my friends.
society / company
'die Gesellschaft' and 'die Geselligkeit' both have to do with people being together. 'Gesellschaft' refers more to the people or the situation in which you are not alone. So you can be 'in guter Gesellschaft' (in good company) or 'Gesellschaft bekommen' (have someone keep you company). 'Geselligkeit', on the other hand, refers to the pleasant, open nature of this being together. It is more about the mood and about people enjoying talking with one another or doing something together. The words can be confused because both sound social. Memory tip: 'Gesellschaft' is more about the people; 'Geselligkeit' is more about the friendly atmosphere.
Beim Straßenfest schätzt Frau Becker besonders die Geselligkeit mit den Kindern und Nachbarn.
At the street festival, Mrs. Becker especially appreciates the conviviality with the children and neighbors.
Nach dem Umzug freut sich Tom über die Gesellschaft seiner neuen Nachbarn.
After moving, Tom is happy to have the company of his new neighbors.