die Hochzeit
wedding
The official celebration or ceremony in which two people get married and enter into a marriage.
EXAMPLE
Meine Schwester feiert ihre Hochzeit im Juli am See.
My sister is celebrating her wedding by the lake in July.
die Hochzeit
wedding / heyday
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Meanings
die Hochzeit
heyday
In a figurative sense, the peak or golden age of an era, a movement, or a development.
EXAMPLE
Die Hochzeit des Stummfilms war in den 1920er Jahren.
The heyday of silent film was in the 1920s.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word 'Hochzeit' (wedding/heyday) is made up of 'hoch' (high) and 'Zeit' (time). Originally, it meant a 'high time,' meaning an important celebration. This also explains its figurative meaning as the peak of an era.
EXAMPLE
Früher war die Erntezeit eine Hochzeit für das ganze Dorf.
In the past, harvest time was a high point for the whole village.
Typical collocations
When referring to the ceremony, 'Hochzeit' (wedding) is often used with the verbs 'feiern' (to celebrate) and 'planen' (to plan). You go 'zu einer Hochzeit' (to a wedding) or are 'auf einer Hochzeit' (at a wedding).
EXAMPLE
Wir sind nächstes Wochenende auf einer Hochzeit von Freunden.
We’re at a friend’s wedding next weekend.
Context clue
You can often recognize the figurative meaning 'Blütezeit' (heyday/golden age) from a genitive or a 'von' construction that indicates what had its peak. The context is usually historical or cultural.
EXAMPLE
Die 1950er Jahre gelten als die Hochzeit des Rock 'n' Roll.
The 1950s are considered the heyday of rock 'n' roll.
Compare with
Hochzeit vs Heirat
marriage
Hochzeit usually refers to the celebration, ceremony, or entire event surrounding a marriage. Heirat focuses more on the formal act of entering into marriage. Use Hochzeit for the event being celebrated, and Heirat for the marriage ceremony or act itself.
Hochzeit
Nach der Zeremonie feierten sie ihre Hochzeit mit vielen Gästen.
After the ceremony, they celebrated their wedding with many guests.
Heirat
Mit der Heirat gingen sie offiziell die Ehe ein.
By entering into marriage, they officially became a married couple.
In real life
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