Gefallen

• IPA^(key): /ɡəˈfalən/

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

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• Audio:

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• Audio (Austria):

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• Hyphenation: Ge‧fal‧len

From earlier Gefalle, from Middle High German geval, equivalent to a deverbal of gefallen (compare Fall). Originally a strong noun, but seemingly shifting to a weak paradigm before regularizing back into its modern, strong form by adapting the oblique weak ending in the nominative.

Grimm notes inconsistent gender usage between masculine and neuter under the influence of etymology 2, including in classification in dictionaries of the 17th and 18 century.^[1] However, the distinction was later reestablished.

Gefallen m (strong, genitive Gefallens, plural Gefallen)

1. favor, favour (UK) (a deed in which help is voluntarily provided)

   jemandem einen Gefallen tun ― to do someone a favor

   jemandem einen Gefallen schulden ― to owe someone a favor

   • 2017 [1843], Ludwig Bechstein, “Der Teufel ist los oder Das Märlein, wie der Teufel den Branntwein erfand”, in Märchen‎^[1]:

     »Diesen Gefallen will ich dir tun, du sollst aber dein Lebtag daran gedenken!«

     "I will do you this favor, but you shall think of it every day of your life!"

   • 2003, Wolfgang Schmid, Dürer als Unternehmer, →ISBN, page 176:

     Abschließend bat er Heller noch um einen Gefallen: Für ein Marienbild, das dieser bei ihm gesehen habe, suche er einen Käufer.

     Finally, he also asked Heller for a favor: He was looking for a buyer for a picture of the Virgin Mary that [Heller] had seen at his home

Gefallen n (strong, genitive Gefallens, no plural)

1. (uncountable) gerund of gefallen

   an etwas Gefallen finden ― to enjoy something; to acquire a liking for something

• “Gefallen” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache