Guten Tag! Are you wondering how to express “last weekend” in German? Whether you want to share your weekend activities with a new German friend or enhance your language skills, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information. We’ll cover both formal and informal ways, offering you multiple examples, tips, and even a few regional variations. So, let’s dive into the vast world of German expressions for “last weekend”!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions for “Last Weekend”
When conversing in formal situations or addressing individuals with whom you’d like to maintain a certain level of respect, you can use the following expressions:
1. Am vergangenen Wochenende
This is the most common formal way to describe “last weekend.” The phrase “am vergangenen Wochenende” directly translates to “on the past weekend” in English. It is widely understood and used throughout the German-speaking regions.
“Ich habe am vergangenen Wochenende meine Familie besucht.”
(I visited my family last weekend.)
2. An diesem letzten Wochenende
If you prefer a slightly more formal tone, you can use “an diesem letzten Wochenende,” translating to “on this last weekend.” This variation puts a stronger emphasis on the immediate past, referring specifically to the weekend that just occurred.
“Sie haben an diesem letzten Wochenende hart gearbeitet.”
(They worked hard on this last weekend.)
Informal Expressions for “Last Weekend”
For casual conversations, with friends or peers, you can use the following informal expressions:
1. Am letzten Wochenende
The informal equivalent to “am vergangenen Wochenende” is “am letzten Wochenende.” It carries the same meaning but is generally used in a less formal context.
“Wir haben am letzten Wochenende eine tolle Party gefeiert!”
(We had an amazing party last weekend!)
2. Letztes Wochenende
A shorter and commonly used way to express “last weekend” informally is by simply saying “letztes Wochenende.” This phrase is both widely understood and widely used across different regions.
“Ich war letztes Wochenende in den Bergen wandern.”
(I went hiking in the mountains last weekend.)
Tips and Regional Variations
Here are some additional tips and regional variations to enrich your understanding of how to talk about “last weekend” in German:
Tips:
- Always remember to use the accusative case when using the expressions above. The prepositions “am” and “an” require the accusative case.
- If you want to be more specific about the weekend you are referring to, you can include the day of the week. For example: “am letzten Samstag und Sonntag” (last Saturday and Sunday).
- When discussing your past activities, consider incorporating separable verbs or common idiomatic expressions to make your sentences more interesting and engaging.
- Listening to German songs, watching movies, or reading books can help you familiarize yourself with various expressions used to talk about past events.
Regional Variations:
The German language exhibits some regional variations, particularly in dialects and spoken slang. While standard German is universally understood, here are a few regional variations for “last weekend” in colloquial speech:
In southern Germany (Bavaria): “letztes Wochenend” or “letztn Wochenend”
In northern Germany: “vergangenes Wochenende” or “leztet Wochenende”
Remember, these regional variations might not be as widely recognized outside of their respective regions. Stick to the formal and informal expressions previously mentioned to ensure clear communication across Germany.
So, next time you want to share your weekend adventures or engage in conversations about past events with German speakers, you’ll feel confident using the various expressions for “last weekend” outlined in this guide. Viel Erfolg (Good luck)! Enjoy integrating these phrases into your German vocabulary!
