Prefix Verb Advent Calender – 4

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advent-4

Viel Vergnügen mit Prefix Verb 4 :)
(just click on the boot to see what’s inside)

(sich) vergnügen

It comes from the word genug (enough) and the original meaning was to be enough for someone – so we’re dealing with a for-ver here.with the for-ver). Now, life a few hundred years ago was quite hard for most people and having enough to eat wasn’t a given. So a change from “The harvest is enough for me” changed to “The harvest makes me happy” isn’t too far fetched-  and that is exactly the change that happened with vergnügen.
Nowadays, it’s mostly used with a self reference in sense of having fun, enjoying oneself. And when I say mostly, I mean rarely because the word isn’t all too common. You’ll probably see the related words more often.
das Vergnügen – the pleasure, joy, fun
vergnügt (ge-form) – jolly, gleefull(y)
der Vergnügungspark – theme park, amusement park
Viel Vergnügen! – Enjoy! (slightly stiffer than “Viel Spaß!”)

  • Thomas und Maria vergnügen sich im Bett. (adult)
  • Thomas and Maria are having fun in bed.
  • Es war mir ein Vergnügen. (sounds a bit distinguished but not too much)
  • It was a pleasure (for me).
 Let me know in the comments, if you have any questions. Schönen Tag!