Gedenke

Gedenke is a German verb form derived from gedenken, meaning to remember or to commemorate. In modern usage it is primarily encountered in archaic, ceremonial, or literary language, where it functions as the second-person singular imperative or as a jussive/subjunctive in older texts. Outside these registers, contemporary German speakers typically avoid it and use paraphrases such as erinnere dich an or denk daran.

Etymology and form. Gedenken is a verbal family that expresses memory or commemoration. The form gedenke, with its historical and stylistic associations, appears in religious hymns, solemn or ceremonial writing, and poetry. Its use signals formality and a didactic or exhortatory tone, rather than everyday speech.

Usage and examples. Gedenke appears most often in exhortatory phrases: for example, Gedenke der Armen, or Gedenke des Herrn. Such constructions are intended to evoke reflection or reverence and are characteristic of liturgical, historical, or literary prose. In contemporary prose and conversation, speakers would more likely convey the same idea with modern imperatives or periphrastic forms.

Related terms. The verb gedenken (to remember) is the base form; the noun Gedenken means remembrance or commemoration. Related modern expressions include erinnern (to remind or remember) and denken (to think). The term Gedenke thus sits at the intersection of religious ceremonial language and historical German stylistic practice.

See also: Gedenken (noun), gedenken (verb), erinnern, denken.