Gottesdienst

church service

noun GOT-es-deenst Less Common

Origin: compound of Gott ('God') + Dienst ('service')

Also means

worship

Usage Note

Gottesdienst is the standard word for a religious service of worship, literally 'service to God'. You gehen zum Gottesdienst ('go to the service'); the related verb phrase Gottesdienst feiern ('to celebrate a service') is common in Catholic and Protestant alike.

Examples

"Der Gottesdienst beginnt um zehn Uhr."

Natural Translation

The church service begins at ten.

Literal Translation

The church-service begins at ten o'clock.

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