# 3.1 Feierabend

Bild 4 Jetzt machen wir Feierabend

The term Feierabend is a compound noun, made up of die Feier (celebration) and der Abend (evening). Between the 12th and 16th centuries, the term referred to the evening before a festival. Since the 16th century, it has come to refer to leisure time and relaxation, i.e. the end of work.

Note the following expressions containing Feierabend:

- Jetzt machen wir Feierabend – this means ‘we have done enough work!’, implying that it is time to relax.
- Jetzt ist (aber) Feierabend! (or short: Feierabend!) – this expresses annoyance, meaning ‘that’s enough of that!’ or ‘I’ve had enough!’.
- Viele Hände machen bald Feierabend – this means ‘many hands make light work’.
- Feierabend machen – this is a euphemism for ‘to die’.

OpenLearn - Intermediate German: The world of work
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