jam
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jam
An informal, spontaneous meeting of musicians who improvise together (jam session).
Nach dem offiziellen Konzert gab es noch einen spontanen Jam mit lokalen Musikern.
After the official concert, there was still a spontaneous jam with local musicians.
Careful: 'der Jam' is not the same as the English word 'jam' for a fruit spread. The sweet spread is called 'die Marmelade' or 'die Konfitüre' in German.
Ich esse gerne Brot mit Marmelade zum Frühstück.
I like eating bread with jam for breakfast.
'Jam' is a word borrowed from English and is used mainly in colloquial language and in specific scenes (music, gaming, IT). It always describes a creative and often spontaneous group activity.
In der Tech-Szene sind Code Jams sehr beliebt.
Code jams are very popular in the tech scene.
In a musical context, the longer form 'die Jam-Session' (jam session) is also very common and means the same thing. You can say 'an einem Jam teilnehmen' (to take part in a jam) or 'einen Jam haben' (to have a jam).
Die Band beendete den Abend mit einer langen Jam-Session.
The band ended the evening with a long jam session.
In the meaning of a creative event, 'Jam' is almost always used as part of a compound word. Examples are 'Game Jam,' 'Code Jam,' or 'Poetry Jam.'
Unser Team hat beim letzten Game Jam den ersten Preis gewonnen.
Our team won first prize at the last game jam.
workshop
'der Workshop' and 'der Jam' can both be creative group events where people develop something. However, a workshop is usually more guided: there is often a leader, a topic, and exercises through which you learn something. A jam is more informal and freer. The participants work together creatively in a short time, for example on a game or on software. The words can be confused because both are practical and creative. 'Workshop' fits better when learning and guidance are important. 'Jam' fits better when quick collaborative development and experimentation are the main focus.
Der Game Jam dauert nur zwei Tage, aber am Ende gibt es schon mehrere kleine Spiele.
The game jam lasts only two days, but by the end there are already several small games.
Nach der Arbeit nimmt der Gast an einem Workshop für gesunde Bewegung teil.
After work, the guest takes part in a workshop on healthy movement.