snack / vespers
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snack / light meal
A small, often cold meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening. The term is used especially in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Nach der Wanderung gab es eine deftige Vesper mit Brot, Käse und Wurst.
After the hike, there was a hearty snack with bread, cheese, and sausage.
vespers
An evening church service or evening prayer in Christian liturgy, especially in the Catholic and Protestant churches.
Die Mönche versammelten sich jeden Abend zur Vesper in der Klosterkirche.
The monks gathered every evening for vespers in the monastery church.
The two meanings of 'Vesper' are easy to distinguish. If it is about food, drink, or a break (often outdoors), it refers to the meal. If the context is religious and mentions a church, monastery, or prayer, it refers to the service.
Wir machen eine kurze Vesper, bevor wir weiterwandern.
We'll have a short snack before we continue hiking.
As a term for a meal, 'Vesper' is used almost exclusively in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In other parts of Germany, the word is rarely used or understood in this context.
In Schwaben gehört eine gute Vesper zum Feierabend dazu.
In Swabia, a good snack is part of the end of the workday.
When referring to the meal, 'Vesper' is often combined with verbs like 'machen' (to have/make), 'einnehmen' (to take/eat), or 'essen' (to eat). Typical adjectives are 'kalt' (cold), 'herzhaft' (savory), or 'deftig' (hearty).
Nach der Gartenarbeit haben wir eine herzhafte Vesper gemacht.
After working in the garden, we had a hearty snack.
In a religious context, 'Vesper' is often used with verbs like 'feiern' (to celebrate/hold), 'beten' (to pray), or 'halten' (to hold). A common phrase is also 'zur Vesper gehen' (to go to vespers).
Die Gemeinde ist eingeladen, die sonntägliche Vesper mitzufeiern.
The congregation is invited to take part in the Sunday vespers.
