die Messe
fair / trade show
A large event where companies present and sell their products and services; a trade or public exhibition.
EXAMPLE
Nächste Woche fahre ich zur Buchmesse nach Frankfurt.
Next week I'm going to the book fair in Frankfurt.
die Messe
fair / mass
die Messe, die Messen
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Meanings
die Messe
Mass
The most important church service in the Catholic Church.
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag gehen meine Großeltern immer in die Messe.
On Sundays my grandparents always go to Mass.
die Messe
Mass
A musical composition that sets the fixed parts of the Catholic church service (the Ordinary) to music.
EXAMPLE
Mozarts Große Messe in c-Moll ist ein Meisterwerk der Kirchenmusik.
Mozart's Great Mass in C minor is a masterpiece of church music.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Messe, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Messen |
| genitive | der Messe |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Messe | die Messen |
| accusative | die Messe | die Messen |
| dative | der Messe | den Messen |
| genitive | der Messe | der Messen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'Messe' (fair/Mass) from context. If it is about business, products, and halls, an exhibition (m01) is meant. If it is about church, Sunday, or a church service, the religious celebration (m02) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Automesse werden die neuesten Modelle vorgestellt.
The newest models are presented at the auto show.
Die Familie geht jeden Sonntag zusammen in die Messe.
The family goes to Mass together every Sunday.
Typical prepositions
When it refers to an exhibition, the prepositions 'auf' and 'zu' are used. You are 'auf der Messe' (at the fair) and you go 'zur Messe' (to the fair).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe auf der Messe viele interessante Leute getroffen.
I met many interesting people at the fair.
Fährst du dieses Jahr auch zur Buchmesse nach Leipzig?
Are you going to the book fair in Leipzig this year too?
Typical collocations
In connection with exhibitions, 'Messe' (fair/trade show) is often used in compounds to specify the type. Common verbs are 'besuchen' (to visit/attend) or 'ausstellen' (to exhibit).
EXAMPLE
Viele Verlage stellen auf der Buchmesse ihre Neuheiten aus.
Many publishers exhibit their new releases at the book fair.
Die Handwerksmesse findet nur alle zwei Jahre statt.
The craft fair takes place only every two years.
Typical prepositions
When the Catholic church service is meant, the preposition 'in' is used. You go 'in die Messe' (to Mass) and you sit 'in der Messe' (in Mass).
EXAMPLE
Der Priester lädt die Gemeinde ein, die Messe mitzufeiern.
The priest invites the congregation to celebrate Mass together.
Wir gehen heute Abend in die Weihnachtsmesse.
We're going to Christmas Mass this evening.
Context: music
When a musical composition is being discussed, 'Messe' (Mass) often appears together with the name of a composer or musical terms such as 'Chor' (choir) and 'Orchester' (orchestra).
EXAMPLE
Der Chor probt für die Aufführung von Bachs h-Moll-Messe.
The choir is rehearsing for the performance of Bach's Mass in B minor.
Compare with
Messe vs Markt
market
At a market, the focus is usually on vendors selling directly to customers. A trade fair is a larger organized event where companies mainly present their products and services and seek business contacts, even though things may also be sold there.
Messe
Auf der Lebensmittelmesse stellt der Betrieb seinen Käse neuen Geschäftspartnern vor.
At the food trade fair, the business presents its cheese to new business partners.
Markt
Auf dem Wochenmarkt verkauft der Betrieb seinen Käse direkt an Kunden.
At the weekly market, the business sells its cheese directly to customers.
In real life
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