Vergnügen
[fɛɐ̯ˈɡnyːɡŋ̍]neuter
German 'pleasure' is translated as Vergnügen. Wiktionary also lists Genuss.
Meaning: a state of being pleased (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vergnügen | [fɛɐ̯ˈɡnyːɡŋ̍] (narrow) [fɛɐ̯ˈɡnyːɡən] (narrow) |
neuter |
| Genuss | /ɡəˈnʊs/ | masculine |
Vergnügen refers to a general state of being pleased or an enjoyable activity. Genuss is used to describe enjoyment, specifically the pleasure derived from sensory experiences such as eating, drinking or aesthetic appreciation.
Which one should you use?
While Vergnügen is a general term for pleasure or an enjoyable activity, Genuss refers specifically to sensual or culinary pleasure.
How does it change in a sentence?
Vergnügen is a neuter noun and uses the article das. Genuss is a masculine noun and uses the article der.
When do people say it?
The phrase Es ist mir ein Vergnügen is a formal way to express that you are pleased to do something, which is often used in polite social settings or professional environments.
Did you know?
- There is a distinct difference between Vergnügen and Lust. While both can mean pleasure, Lust often implies a physical desire or craving, making it riskier to use in professional settings.
- The term Genussmittel is a specific German category of goods that includes coffee, tobacco and alcohol, literally meaning 'means of pleasure'.
- The word Vergnügen is a distant relative of the English word 'enough'. Both stem from the same Germanic root, which originally expressed the idea of being 'sufficiently' satisfied.
Examples in context
- Das war ein Vergnügen.It was a pleasure.Tatoeba #4368519 by Esperantostern, translation #2549035 by CK
- Es war ein kurzes Vergnügen.It was a short-lived pleasure.Tatoeba #750271 by samueldora, translation #11262348 by sundown
- Es war ein großes Vergnügen!It was a great pleasure!Tatoeba #4884074 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4538964 by mailohilohi
- Wir haben gestern Abend viel Spaß gehabt.We had a lot of fun last night.
- Ich freue mich, dich zu sehen!I'm delighted to see you!
- Ich genieße den Sonnenuntergang.I'm enjoying the sunset.
- Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.I am pleased to meet you.
- Ja, ich helfe Ihnen mit Vergnügen.Yes, I will gladly help you.
- Das Essen in diesem Restaurant ist ein wahrer Genuss.The food in this restaurant is a true enjoyment.
- 88 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are finishing a pleasant dinner party.
- MaximilianEs war mir ein Vergnügen, heute Abend mit Ihnen zu essen.It was a pleasure to dine with you this evening.
- JuliaDanke, Maximilian, das Vergnügen war ganz meinerseits.Thank you, Maximilian, the pleasure was all mine.
- MaximilianDie Gesellschaft war wirklich sehr angenehm.The company was really very pleasant.
- JuliaDas kann ich nur unterschreiben.I can only sign off on that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pleasure” translations and entries Vergnügen, Genuss, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Genuss, Vergnügen, vergnügen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
