to celebrate
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to celebrate
To do something with great care, enjoyment, and almost ceremonial solemnity, as if it were a ritual.
Er zelebriert sein Sonntagsfrühstück regelrecht mit klassischer Musik und der Zeitung.
He practically celebrates his Sunday breakfast with classical music and the newspaper.
Verbs that end in '-ieren' often come from Latin or French. 'Zelebrieren' (to celebrate) comes from the Latin 'celebrare' (to celebrate, glorify) and is conjugated like a regular German verb.
Sie zelebrierte ihren Erfolg mit einer großen Party.
She celebrated her success with a big party.
'Zelebrieren' (to celebrate) always requires an accusative object. You always celebrate 'etwas' (something).
Jeden Abend zelebriert er das Abendessen mit seiner Familie.
Every evening, he celebrates dinner with his family.
You can tell whether the religious or everyday meaning is intended from the object. Words like 'Gottesdienst' (church service) or 'Messe' (mass) point to the religious meaning, while everyday things like 'Frühstück' (breakfast) or 'Kaffee' (coffee) suggest the figurative meaning.
Der Priester zelebriert die Messe am Sonntagmorgen.
The priest celebrates mass on Sunday morning.
In its figurative meaning, 'zelebrieren' (to celebrate) belongs to elevated, stylish language. It emphasizes that an action is carried out deliberately and with a lot of enjoyment.
Nach der anstrengenden Woche zelebrierte sie ihr entspannendes Bad.
After the exhausting week, she celebrated her relaxing bath.
to hold
'halten' and 'zelebrieren' can both describe someone performing something in front of others, for example a speech or a ceremonial act. 'halten' is neutral and is especially used with speeches, lectures, or addresses. 'zelebrieren' sounds more solemn and emphasizes that something is done with great care, enjoyment, or like a ritual. In religious ceremonies, 'zelebrieren' is especially appropriate. The words can be confused, but 'eine Rede halten' (to give a speech) is normal; 'eine Rede zelebrieren' only sounds appropriate if the manner seems very solemn or deliberate.
Am Sonntag zelebriert der Priester den Gottesdienst besonders feierlich.
On Sunday, the priest celebrates the church service in a particularly solemn way.
Die Chefin hält morgen eine kurze Rede für das neue Team.
The boss is giving a short speech for the new team tomorrow.