Frohes Onam-Fest
The English phrase "happy onam" is translated into German as Frohes Onam-Fest.
Frohes Onam-Fest is a greeting used to wish someone a joyful celebration of the Onam festival. Because Onam is a specific cultural festival from India, German speakers typically append the word Fest (festival) to the name to make the greeting sound more natural in German syntax.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the adjective frohes (happy/joyful), the proper noun Onam and the noun Fest (festival).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective froh takes the -es ending because it modifies a neuter noun (das Fest) in the accusative case used for greetings.
Did you know?
- The word Fest in Onam-Fest can also mean a 'solid' or 'firm' thing in a different context, such as 'festgemacht' meaning 'fastened'.
- While 'froh' means 'happy', if you wanted to wish someone a 'happy' birthday or New Year, Germans would more commonly use 'Glückwunsch' or 'Alles Gute' instead of 'froh'.
- In German, the word 'froh' often carries a sense of 'glad' or 'relieved' rather than just the high-spirited joy one associates with 'happy' in English.
Examples in context
- Frohes Onam! Ich hoffe, du erlebst die Freude und die schönen Traditionen von Onam.Happy Onam! I hope you experience the joy and beautiful traditions of Onam.
Example conversation
Hannah greets Felix at the office.
- HannahHallo Felix, frohes Onam-Fest!Hello Felix, happy Onam festival!
- FelixDanke, Hannah! Das ist sehr lieb von dir.Thanks, Hannah! That is very sweet of you.
- HannahFeiert ihr heute mit einem großen Essen?Are you celebrating today with a big meal?
- FelixJa, meine Familie kommt heute Abend zu Besuch.Yes, my family is visiting this evening.
