Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Segen | /ˈzeːɡən/ /ˈseːɡ̥ɛn/ |
masculine |
| Segnen | /ˈzeːɡnən/ /ˈzeːknən/ (Germany, common) |
neuter |
| Segnung | /ˈzeːɡnʊŋ/ | feminine |
| Segenserteilung | feminine |
Segen is used for a blessing in the religious sense and for something good you are thankful for, as in it's a blessing. Giving someone your blessing works both literally in church and figuratively to mean giving permission or approval. God bless you is Gott segne dich/Sie.
Which one should you use?
Segen is the blessing itself, as a concept or a state of being blessed. Segnung refers more specifically to the formal act or ritual of bestowing a blessing. Segenserteilung is a formal word for the giving of a blessing, and Segnen is the act of blessing.
How does it change in a sentence?
Segen is masculine and takes der in the nominative case. It comes from the verb meaning to bless, whose past participle gesegnet is used as an adjective meaning blessed.
How do you pronounce it?
Segen is pronounced /ˈzeːɡən/. The S at the start sounds like an English z, and the first vowel is a long ay sound.
Did you know?
- The German word Segen is a distant relative of the English word 'sign'. Both trace back to the Latin signum, reflecting an ancient tradition of making a sign of the cross to bless someone.
- In German, the adjective gesegnet can be used ironically to describe someone who is unexpectedly lucky or perhaps 'blessed' with an annoying trait.
Examples in context
- Es ist ein Segen.It's a blessing.Es ist ein Segen. means it's a blessing, about something good.Tatoeba #13574994 by Vortarulo, translation #11694713 by shekitten
- Du hast meinen Segen.You have my blessing.meinen Segen is the form after hast, meaning my blessing.Tatoeba #1907397 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1895749 by CK
- Gib mir deinen Segen!Give me your blessing.Gib mir deinen Segen! asks someone to give you their blessing.Tatoeba #12447883 by Waldelfe, translation #3151447 by CK
- Möge Gottes Segen immer mit Ihnen sein.May God's blessing be with you always.
- Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Mögest du in diesem neuen Lebensjahr viel Erfolg haben.Happy birthday! May you have much success in this new year of life.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are discussing a new business venture.
- FelixHast du schon den Segen deines Vaters?Have you already received your father's blessing?
- LauraJa, er hat mir seinen Segen gegeben.Yes, he gave me his blessing.
- FelixDas ist gut für das Projekt.That is good for the project.
- LauraDanke, ich bin jetzt viel zuversichtlicher.Thanks, I am much more confident now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blessing” translations and entries Segen, Segnung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry segnen.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Segen, Segnung, segnen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
