01
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
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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 Ehe
marriage
'die Ehe' and 'die Hochzeit' belong to the same topic, but they do not mean the same thing. 'die Hochzeit' is the day, celebration, or ceremony at which two people get married. 'die Ehe' is the life partnership afterward, or the legal state of being married. Learners can easily confuse the words because both are connected to getting married. A simple guide: you celebrate 'die Hochzeit' on a specific day; 'die Ehe' continues afterward.
Hochzeit
Die Hochzeit hat am Samstag in einem kleinen Garten stattgefunden.
The wedding took place on Saturday in a small garden.
Ehe
Heute spricht meine Nachbarin offen über ihre lange Ehe.
Today my neighbor talks openly about her long marriage.
In real life
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