See also: Willkommen

German

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Etymology

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Inherited from Middle High German willekomen, from Old High German willechomen, from Proto-Germanic *wiljakumô. Cognate to Dutch welkom, English welcome, Danish velkommen, and other Germanic forms. Cognate with Portuguese bem-vindo, French bienvenu, Italian benvenuto, Spanish bienvenido, possibly Germanic calques.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /vɪlˈkɔmən/, [vɪl-], [ʋɪl-], [-mən], [-mn̩], [-mm̩]
  • Audio:(file)

Adjective

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willkommen (strong nominative masculine singular willkommener or willkommner, comparative (uncommon) willkommener or willkommner, superlative (uncommon) am willkommensten)

  1. welcome (received with gladness)
    Antonym: unwillkommen
    Du bist mir immer willkommen.
    You’re always welcome to my house.
    Das ist eine willkommene Gelegenheit.
    This is a welcome opportunity.

Usage notes

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  • The German word gern can translate English welcome in some constructions. This is not used with a following infinitive:
    Du kannst gern mein Auto nehmen.You are welcome to use my car.
  • The comparative form willkommener (more welcome) is rare but possible:
    In Deutschland sind Flüchtlinge nach einer Studie von Amnesty International willkommener als in vielen anderen Staaten.
    According to a study by Amnesty International, refugees are more welcome in Germany than in many other countries. (Die Zeit, 05/19/2016, online)

Declension

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Derived terms

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Interjection

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willkommen

  1. welcome

Usage notes

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  • willkommen is construed with prepositions of position (not movement) corresponding to the object. Thus, in with countries and cities, an with bodies of water, bei with people, etc., as they are generally used to indicate position:
    Willkommen in Deutschland!Welcome to Germany!
    Willkommen am Bodensee!Welcome to Lake Constance!
    Willkommen auf Helgoland!Welcome to Heligoland!
    Willkommen auf meiner Webseite!Welcome to my website!
    Willkommen bei meinen Eltern!Welcome to my parents’ house!
  • The preposition zu (to) may be used with events and activities:
    Willkommen zur Weinprobe!Welcome to the winetasting!
  • However, one may also follow the general rule and use bei, auf, or whatever preposition of position is appropriate.

Alternative forms

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Descendants

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  • Kashubian: wilkóm

Further reading

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