Kirmes

German

Alternative forms

  • Kirmis, plural Kirmisse

Etymology

From Middle High German kirmesse, contraction of kirche (“church”) + messe, misse, from Old High German kirihha + messe (“mass”), + Latin missa, referring to annual solemn masses on the anniversaries of the consecration of village churches (contemporary Kirchweihfest), which developed into major village festivals. Compare the same in Dutch kermis.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkɪrməs/, [ˈkɪʁməs], [ˈkɪɐ̯məs], [ˈkɪrməs]
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

Kirmes f (genitive Kirmes, plural Kirmessen)

  1. (regional) fair, funfair
    Synonyms: Jahrmarkt, Kirchweih, Rummel

Usage notes

  • Common throughout western and central Germany. It is also used in some parts of northern and southern Germany, but may not be familiar to speakers from certain regions.

Declension

Declension of Kirmes [feminine]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative eine die Kirmes die Kirmessen
genitive einer der Kirmes der Kirmessen
dative einer der Kirmes den Kirmessen
accusative eine die Kirmes die Kirmessen

Further reading

  • “Kirmes” in Duden online
  • “Kirmes” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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