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A1 noun #1,500 most common 8 min read

Gast

Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Gast in 30 Seconds

Explanation Gast in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should recognize 'Gast' as a basic noun meaning 'guest'. You will mostly use it in simple sentences like 'Ich habe einen Gast' or 'Der Gast ist hier'. It's important to learn the gender (masculine) and the basic plural form 'Gäste'. You will encounter it in the context of family, friends, and basic restaurant scenarios. Focus on the nominative and accusative cases first. For example, 'Ich sehe den Gast' (Accusative). You should also learn the phrase 'zu Gast sein' in its simplest form. At this stage, don't worry too much about complex compound words, but do recognize 'Gastgeber' (host) as it often appears alongside 'Gast'. Hospitality is a common theme in early German lessons, so 'Gast' is a high-frequency word you'll need for basic communication about your social life and travel.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Gast' in more varied contexts, such as describing hotel stays or formal invitations. You should be comfortable with the dative case, e.g., 'Ich gebe dem Gast einen Schlüssel'. You'll also start seeing compound nouns like 'Fahrgast' (passenger) in public transport announcements and 'Gaststätte' (restaurant/inn). You should be able to use 'Gast' in the past tense, describing who was a guest at your party. Understanding the cultural expectation of a 'Gastgeschenk' (guest gift) becomes relevant here. You might also encounter the word in simple idioms like 'Der Gast ist König'. Your ability to pluralize correctly with the umlaut ('Gäste') should be consistent by now. You'll also start to distinguish between a 'Gast' and a 'Besucher' (visitor) in simple contexts.

By B1, you should be using 'Gast' fluently in complex sentences with subordinate clauses. For example: 'Ich freue mich auf die Gäste, die heute Abend kommen.' You will encounter more professional uses, such as 'Gastronomie' (catering/hospitality industry) and 'Gastgewerbe'. You should understand the nuance of 'Stammgast' (regular) and how it implies a relationship of loyalty. In B1, you'll also see 'Gast' used in more abstract ways, such as 'Gastland' (host country) when discussing migration or international relations. You should be able to handle the genitive case: 'Die Wünsche des Gastes sind wichtig.' Your vocabulary should expand to include related verbs like 'beherbergen' (to house/lodge) and 'bewirten' (to entertain guests with food and drink). You'll also start to hear 'Gast' in media contexts, like 'Stargast' on a talk show.

At the B2 level, you use 'Gast' in formal discussions about society and culture. You might discuss 'Gastfreundschaft' as a societal value or the history of 'Gastarbeiter' (guest workers) in Germany, which is a significant historical and sociological topic. You should be able to use the word in professional writing, such as responding to a complaint from a 'Gast' in a hotel management context. You'll encounter more sophisticated compounds like 'Gastspiel' (guest performance) or 'Gastprofessur'. You should understand the subtle difference between 'Gast' and 'Kunde' in service design discussions. Your use of prepositions with 'Gast' should be precise, including 'gegenüber den Gästen' or 'hinsichtlich der Gäste'. You'll also start to appreciate the word's use in literature and higher-level journalism.

At the C1 level, you possess a deep understanding of the word's connotations and its role in idiomatic German. You can discuss the etymological roots of 'Gast' and its relation to 'hostis'. You'll encounter the word in complex academic texts, perhaps in the context of 'Gastrecht' (right of hospitality) in legal history or philosophy. You should be able to use the word with high stylistic variation, choosing between 'Gast', 'Besucher', 'Teilnehmer', or 'Klient' with perfect precision. You'll understand the irony in phrases like 'ein ungebetener Gast' (an uninvited guest) used metaphorically for a problem or a disease. Your ability to use 'Gast' in the passive voice and with complex modal constructions is expected: 'Dem Gast hätte mehr Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt werden müssen.'

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'Gast'. You can use it in highly abstract, philosophical, or poetic contexts. You might analyze the concept of 'Gastlichkeit' (hospitality) in the works of Kant or Derrida in German. You understand the most obscure compound words and can even coin new ones if the context allows. You are familiar with regional variations and historical uses of the word. You can use 'Gast' in sophisticated rhetorical figures. You understand the full weight of the word in historical contexts, such as the 'Gastarbeiter' era, and can discuss its implications on modern German identity. Your command of the word is such that you can play with its meaning in creative writing or high-level debate, using it to explore themes of belonging, strangeness, and the human condition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Gast in 30 Seconds

Gast means guest and is a masculine noun (der Gast).
The plural is 'Gäste', requiring an umlaut on the 'a'.
It is used for both private visitors and commercial customers in hospitality.
Commonly found in compounds like Gastgeber (host) and Fahrgast (passenger).

The German noun Gast (plural: Gäste) is a fundamental term in the German language, primarily denoting an individual who is invited to a private home, a social event, or a commercial establishment like a hotel or restaurant. At its core, the word encapsulates the relationship between an invitee and a host (Gastgeber). Unlike the English word 'guest', which can sometimes feel formal, Gast is used universally across all registers of German, from a child's birthday party to high-level diplomatic summits.

Private Context: In a domestic setting, a Gast is someone you welcome into your living space. This implies a duty of care and hospitality (Gastfreundschaft), which is a deeply rooted cultural value in German-speaking countries.

Wir haben heute Abend einen Gast zum Abendessen.

Commercial Context: In the hospitality industry (Gastgewerbe), customers are almost always referred to as Gäste rather than Kunden (customers). This elevates the transaction from a mere exchange of money for services to a relationship of service and care.

Der Gast in Zimmer 204 möchte gerne frühstücken.

The term also extends to metaphorical uses. A 'guest' performer in a play or a 'guest' speaker at a university uses the same root. The concept of being a 'guest' on Earth or in a specific country (Gastland) highlights the temporary nature of the stay. Historically, the word shares the same Indo-European root as the Latin hostis (stranger/enemy), which evolved into 'host' and 'guest' in English, showing the ancient link between the stranger and the person welcomed in.

Er ist nur ein Gast auf dieser Welt.

Specialized Types: You will encounter variations like Stammgast (regular guest), Ehrengast (guest of honor), and Fahrgast (passenger). Each specifies the nature of the 'guest' status.

Der Stammgast bestellt immer das gleiche Bier.

Die Gäste sind sehr zufrieden mit dem Service.

Using Gast correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender, declension, and its role in compound nouns. It is a masculine noun (der Gast). While many masculine nouns in German follow the N-declension, Gast does not. It is a strong noun, meaning it only takes an '-es' or '-s' in the genitive singular and an '-e' in the plural, which then triggers an umlaut on the 'a'.

Grammatical Cases: Nominative: der Gast / die Gäste; Accusative: den Gast / die Gäste; Dative: dem Gast / den Gästen; Genitive: des Gastes / der Gäste.

Ich helfe dem Gast mit seinem Koffer.

When referring to a female guest, you can use die Gästin, though this is relatively rare in modern spoken German. Most people use der Gast as a generic masculine or specify weiblicher Gast. In plural contexts, Gäste is universally used for mixed-gender groups.

Common Verb Pairings: Common verbs used with Gast include einladen (to invite), empfangen (to receive), bewirten (to entertain/host), and beherbergen (to lodge).

Wir laden viele Gäste zu unserer Hochzeit ein.

In professional settings, especially in the tech world, 'guest access' is translated as Gastzugang. In transportation, a passenger is a Fahrgast. The flexibility of the word allows it to be the prefix in hundreds of German compounds, which is a hallmark of the language's efficiency.

Der Gastzugang zum WLAN ist zeitlich begrenzt.

Prepositional Usage: Use 'als Gast' (as a guest) or 'für die Gäste' (for the guests). Note that 'zu Gast sein' is a very common idiomatic phrase meaning 'to be visiting'.

Sie war als Gast in der Talkshow.

You will encounter the word Gast in a variety of everyday and specialized environments. In the service industry, it is the standard term for anyone receiving a service. If you walk into a German restaurant, the waiter might ask, 'Wie viele Gäste sind Sie?' (How many guests are you?). In a hotel, the receptionist will refer to you as 'unser Gast'.

Media and Entertainment: On television, talk show hosts introduce their 'Gäste'. A famous person appearing on a show is often called a Stargast. Musicians might do a Gastspiel (guest performance) in a different city.

Begrüßen Sie mit mir unseren nächsten Gast!

In public transport, announcements often begin with 'Sehr geehrte Fahrgäste' (Dear passengers). This is a more polite and formal way of addressing travelers than simply calling them 'Passagiere'. It implies that the transport company views the traveler as someone to be hosted and cared for during the journey.

Public Announcements: 'Verehrte Gäste' is a common opening for speeches at weddings, galas, or corporate events. It sets a tone of formal hospitality.

Sehr geehrte Fahrgäste, der Zug hat heute 10 Minuten Verspätung.

In academic settings, you might hear about a Gasthörer (auditor/guest listener), which refers to someone who attends university lectures without being a fully enrolled student seeking a degree. This highlights the inclusivity of the term Gast.

Er besucht die Vorlesung als Gasthörer.

Hospitality Slogans: 'Der Gast ist König' (The guest is king) is the German equivalent of 'The customer is always right'. You will see this on signs in shops and restaurants.

In unserem Hotel ist der Gast wirklich noch König.

Even though Gast is an A1 level word, it presents several pitfalls for learners, particularly regarding its plural form and its distinction from similar-sounding or similar-meaning words.

The Plural Pitfall: Many learners forget the umlaut in the plural. It is Gäste, not Gaste. Pronunciation changes significantly from a short 'a' to an 'eh' sound.

Falsch: Viele Gaste kommen. Richtig: Viele Gäste kommen.

Another common error is the confusion with the English word 'Ghost'. While they sound somewhat similar, 'Ghost' in German is Geist. Calling someone a 'Gast' when you mean 'Geist' is a funny but common mistake for English speakers.

Gast vs. Kunde: In a store, you are a Kunde (customer). In a restaurant or hotel, you are a Gast. Using Kunde in a high-end restaurant can sound cold or overly transactional.

Der Gast (nicht Kunde) möchte die Weinkarte sehen.

Learners also struggle with the dative plural. Remember that all German nouns in the dative plural must end in '-n' if they don't already. So, 'mit den Gästen' is correct, while 'mit den Gäste' is a grammatical error.

Gender Neutrality: While Gästin exists, it's rarely used. Don't feel pressured to use it; der Gast is perfectly acceptable for a woman in most contexts, or simply use the person's name.

Sie ist unser liebster Gast.

Wer ist der Gastgeber dieser Party?

Understanding the nuances between Gast and its synonyms helps in achieving a more natural-sounding German. While Gast is the most versatile term, other words might be more appropriate depending on the level of formality or the specific situation.

Besuch vs. Gast: Besuch is often used as a collective noun for guests at home. 'Wir haben Besuch' means 'We have guests/company'. A Besucher is a visitor to a museum or a website.

Der Besucher im Museum betrachtet das Gemälde.

Kunde vs. Gast: As mentioned, Kunde is a customer in a retail sense. Gast is used when there is an element of hospitality involved (food, lodging, entertainment).

Der Kunde kauft ein neues Auto.

In formal legal or business contexts, you might hear Klient (client) or Mandant (legal client). These are never interchangeable with Gast. Similarly, Passagier is used for air or sea travel, but Fahrgast is preferred for trains and buses.

Fremder vs. Gast: A Fremder is a stranger. Once you invite a stranger into your home, they become a Gast. This transition is culturally significant.

Ein Fremder klopfte an die Tür.

Alle Eingeladenen sind pünktlich erschienen.

How Formal Is It?

Pronunciation Guide

Rhymes With

Fast Mast Last

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Plural formation with Umlaut

Dative plural ending in -n

Masculine noun declension

Compound noun formation

Prepositions with Dative

Examples by Level

Der Gast kommt um acht Uhr.

The guest is coming at eight o'clock.

Nominative singular: 'Der Gast'.

Ich habe einen Gast.

I have a guest.

Accusative singular: 'einen Gast'.

Sind Sie der Gast?

Are you the guest?

Question form with 'sein'.

Die Gäste trinken Tee.

The guests are drinking tea.

Plural form: 'Die Gäste'.

Mein Gast ist sehr nett.

My guest is very nice.

Possessive pronoun 'mein'.

Wo ist der Gast?

Where is the guest?

Interrogative sentence.

Ein Gast möchte Wasser.

A guest wants water.

Indefinite article 'ein'.

Gute Nacht, lieber Gast!

Good night, dear guest!

Adjective ending in the vocative.

Wir laden unsere Gäste zum Essen ein.

We are inviting our guests to dinner.

Separable verb 'einladen'.

Ich bringe dem Gast ein Handtuch.

I am bringing the guest a towel.

Dative case: 'dem Gast'.

Wie viele Gäste kommen zur Party?

How many guests are coming to the party?

Plural 'Gäste' with 'wie viele'.

Der Gast hat im Hotel eingecheckt.

The guest checked into the hotel.

Perfect tense: 'hat eingecheckt'.

Schenken Sie den Gästen bitte Wein ein.

Please pour some wine for the guests.

Dative plural: 'den Gästen'.

Unser Gast kommt aus Spanien.

Our guest comes from Spain.

Preposition 'aus' + Dative.

Jeder Gast bekommt ein kleines Geschenk.

Every guest receives a small gift.

Indefinite pronoun 'jeder'.

Die Gäste warten im Wohnzimmer.

The guests are waiting in the living room.

Preposition 'in' + Dative.

Der Gast, den wir gestern getroffen haben, ist sehr berühmt.

The guest whom we met yesterday is very famous.

Relative clause with accusative 'den'.

Es ist wichtig, dass sich jeder Gast wohlfühlt.

It is important that every guest feels comfortable.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Wir haben den Gast freundlich empfangen.

We received the guest in a friendly manner.

Adverbial use of 'freundlich'.

Trotz des Regens kamen alle Gäste pünktlich.

Despite the rain, all guests arrived on time.

Genitive with 'trotz'.

Der Gast beschwerte sich über das kalte Essen.

The guest complained about the cold food.

Reflexive verb 'sich beschweren über'.

Könnten Sie dem Gast bitte den Weg zeigen?

Could you please show the guest the way?

Konjunktiv II for politeness.

Die Zahl der Gäste hat sich verdoppelt.

The number of guests has doubled.

Genitive plural: 'der Gäste'.

Ich bin heute Abend bei Freunden zu Gast.

I am visiting friends this evening.

Idiom 'zu Gast sein'.

Die Zufriedenheit der Gäste steht an erster Stelle.

Guest satisfaction is our top priority.

Abstract noun 'Zufriedenheit' with genitive.

Als Gast in diesem Land sollte man die lokalen Bräuche respektieren.

As a guest in this country, one should respect local customs.

Modal verb 'sollte' and 'man'.

Der Stargast hielt eine beeindruckende Rede.

The star guest gave an impressive speech.

Compound noun 'Stargast'.

Wir müssen die Erwartungen unserer Gäste übertreffen.

We must exceed our guests' expectations.

Plural possessive 'unserer Gäste'.

Der Gast wurde vom Hotelpersonal herzlich begrüßt.

The guest was warmly welcomed by the hotel staff.

Passive voice: 'wurde begrüßt'.

Es gab eine lebhafte Diskussion unter den Gästen.

There was a lively discussion among the guests.

Preposition 'unter' + Dative plural.

Der Gast verlangte nach dem Geschäftsführer.

The guest demanded to see the manager.

Verb 'verlangen nach'.

Viele Gastarbeiter trugen zum Wirtschaftswunder bei.

Many guest workers contributed to the economic miracle.

Historical term 'Gastarbeiter'.

Die Gastfreundschaft, die uns entgegengebracht wurde, war beispiellos.

The hospitality shown to us was unprecedented.

Participle construction 'entgegengebracht wurde'.

Er fungierte als Gastredner bei der feierlichen Eröffnung.

He acted as a guest speaker at the grand opening.

Verb 'fungieren als'.

Das Gastspiel des Ensembles wurde von der Kritik gefeiert.

The ensemble's guest performance was acclaimed by critics.

Noun 'Gastspiel'.

Man sollte sich nicht wie ein ungebetener Gast verhalten.

One should not behave like an uninvited guest.

Metaphorical use of 'ungebetener Gast'.

Die rechtliche Stellung der Fahrgäste wurde gestärkt.

The legal status of passengers has been strengthened.

Compound 'Fahrgäste' in a legal context.

Die Fluktuation der Gäste ist in der Nebensaison hoch.

Guest turnover is high during the low season.

Technical term 'Fluktuation'.

Der Autor war als Gastprofessor an der Universität tätig.

The author worked as a guest professor at the university.

Compound 'Gastprofessor'.

Es ist eine Ehre, Sie heute als unseren Gast begrüßen zu dürfen.

It is an honor to be allowed to welcome you as our guest today.

Infinitive construction with 'zu dürfen'.

Die Phänomenologie des Gastes ist ein zentrales Thema der modernen Philosophie.

The phenomenology of the guest is a central theme of modern philosophy.

Academic genitive 'des Gastes'.

In der Antike galt das Gastrecht als unantastbar.

In antiquity, the right of hospitality was considered inviolable.

Historical term 'Gastrecht'.

Die Ambivalenz gegenüber dem Fremden als Gast prägt den Diskurs.

The ambivalence towards the stranger as a guest shapes the discourse.

Complex prepositional phrase.

Das Werk thematisiert die existenzielle Obdachlosigkeit des modernen Menschen als Gast auf Erden.

The work addresses the existential homelessness of modern man as a guest on earth.

Metaphorical and philosophical usage.

Die Gastlichkeit wird hier als ethische Forderung verstanden.

Hospitality is understood here as an ethical demand.

Abstract noun 'Gastlichkeit'.

Trotz seiner Rolle als Gast griff er aktiv in das Geschehen ein.

Despite his role as a guest, he actively intervened in the events.

Concessive phrase with 'trotz'.

Die Subsumierung des Gastes unter rein ökonomische Kategorien ist problematisch.

Subsuming the guest under purely economic categories is problematic.

High-level academic vocabulary.

Er erwies sich als ein überaus zuvorkommender Gast.

He proved to be an extremely obliging guest.

Reflexive verb 'sich erweisen als'.

Synonyms

Besucher Eingeladener Kunde Fahrgast Logiergast Teilnehmer User Fremder

Antonyms

Gastgeber Wirt Einheimischer Besitzer

Common Collocations

willkommener Gast

ungebetener Gast

zahlender Gast

internationaler Gast

hochrangiger Gast

Gäste empfangen

Gäste bewirten

Gäste unterbringen

Gäste einladen

Gäste betreuen

Common Phrases

zu Gast sein

Gäste haben

ein gern gesehener Gast

der Gast ist König

Gäste empfangen

Gäste verabschieden

Gäste bewirten

Gäste unterhalten

Gäste einladen

Gäste beherbergen

Often Confused With

Gast vs Geist (Ghost)

Gast vs Kunde (Customer)

Gast vs Besucher (Visitor)

Idioms & Expressions

"Der Gast ist König"

"Ein gern gesehener Gast sein"

"Zu Gast bei Freunden"

"Bist du Gast oder wohnst du hier?"

"Sich wie ein Gast fühlen"

"Den Gast geben"

"Ungebetener Gast"

"Stiller Gast"

"Gast auf Erden sein"

"Jemanden als Gast führen"

Easily Confused

Gast vs Geist

Geist means ghost or spirit, Gast means guest.

Gast vs Kunde

Kunde is a customer in a shop; Gast is a guest in a hotel/restaurant.

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

Nouns

Gastgeber

Gastfreundschaft

Gastronomie

Gaststätte

Gasthaus

Verbs

gastieren

beherbergen

bewirten

Adjectives

gastfreundlich

gastlich

How to Use It

nuance

Gast is warmer than Kunde.

context

Use Gast for anyone you are hosting.

Common Mistakes

Missing the plural umlaut.
The idiomatic expression 'zu Gast sein' is more natural.
Usually used without 'ist' when identifying someone.
Incorrect case (Dative plural required).
You 'bring' a guest gift rather than 'give' it like a present.

Tips

Plural Umlaut

Always remember the umlaut in 'Gäste'. It changes the pronunciation from a back vowel to a front vowel. Practice saying 'Gast' and 'Gäste' back-to-back to hear the difference.

The Gift Rule

Never show up empty-handed to a private invitation. A small 'Gastgeschenk' goes a long way in German social circles. Even something simple like a nice bar of chocolate is appreciated.

Compound Power

Learn 'Gast' as a building block. Words like 'Gastgeber', 'Gasthaus', and 'Gastfreundschaft' are all very common and easy to remember once you know 'Gast'.

The King Rule

Remember the phrase 'Der Gast ist König'. It will help you remember that 'Gast' is masculine and that it's the preferred term in the service industry.

Short Vowel

The 'a' in 'Gast' is short. Don't stretch it out. It should sound quick and crisp, ending abruptly with the 'st' sound.

Dative Plural

In your writing, watch out for 'den Gästen'. That extra '-n' is a common mistake for learners. It only appears in the dative plural.

Greeting Guests

When you are the host, say 'Willkommen!' or 'Schön, dass du da bist!' to your guests. It makes them feel like a 'willkommener Gast'.

Hotel Speak

If you work in tourism, always use 'Gast'. It sounds much more professional and welcoming than 'Kunde' or 'Person'.

Zu Gast

Use the phrase 'zu Gast sein' instead of just 'besuchen' to sound more natural when talking about staying with someone.

Public Transport

Listen for 'Fahrgäste' on the train. It's one of the most common ways you'll hear a variation of 'Gast' in daily life.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Old High German 'gast', from Proto-Germanic '*gastiz'.

Cultural Context

Always greet the host first when arriving as a guest.

Offering a drink immediately is standard German hospitality.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Haben Sie oft Gäste zu Hause?"

"Was ist ein gutes Gastgeschenk?"

"Waren Sie schon einmal Gast auf einer deutschen Hochzeit?"

"Wie viele Gäste erwarten Sie heute?"

"Sind Sie lieber Gast oder Gastgeber?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe einen Abend, an dem du Gast bei jemandem warst.

Was bedeutet Gastfreundschaft für dich?

Welche Vorbereitungen triffst du, wenn Gäste kommen?

Erzähle von einem besonderen Gast in deinem Leben.

Wie unterscheidet sich die Rolle des Gastes in deiner Kultur von der in Deutschland?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Grammatically, yes, 'der Gast' is masculine. While 'die Gästin' exists for a female guest, it is rarely used in everyday speech. Most people use 'der Gast' as a generic term or specify 'ein weiblicher Gast' if necessary. In the plural, 'die Gäste' covers everyone.

The plural of Gast is 'die Gäste'. Note the addition of the umlaut on the 'a' and the 'e' at the end. This is a very common pattern for masculine monosyllabic nouns in German. In the dative plural, it becomes 'den Gästen'.

Use 'Kunde' (customer) for retail transactions, like in a supermarket, a clothing store, or a car dealership. Use 'Gast' (guest) when the service involves hospitality, such as in hotels, restaurants, cafes, or when someone is invited to a private home.

It is an idiomatic expression meaning 'to be a guest' or 'to be visiting'. For example, 'Ich bin bei meiner Tante zu Gast' means 'I am visiting my aunt' or 'I am a guest at my aunt's house'. It's a very common way to describe a stay.

A 'Gastgeschenk' is a small gift that a guest brings for the host. In Germany, it is considered polite to bring something like flowers, a bottle of wine, or chocolates when you are invited to someone's home for the first time or for a special occasion.

A 'Fahrgast' is a passenger on public transport like a bus, train, or tram. The word combines 'fahren' (to drive/travel) and 'Gast' (guest), implying that the transport company treats the passenger as a guest.

No, 'Gast' is not a weak noun. It does not take an '-en' in the accusative or dative singular. It follows the strong declension: der Gast (Nom), den Gast (Acc), dem Gast (Dat), des Gastes (Gen).

A 'Stammgast' is a regular guest or a 'regular'. It refers to someone who frequently visits the same restaurant, bar, or hotel. 'Stamm-' implies a root or a permanent connection.

A guest room is called a 'Gästezimmer'. It is a compound noun made of the plural 'Gäste' and 'Zimmer' (room). Similarly, a guest bathroom is a 'Gästetoilette' or 'Gäste-WC'.

Generally, 'Gast' is reserved for humans. However, in a poetic or metaphorical sense, you might refer to a bird in your garden as a 'tierischer Gast' (animal guest), but this is not standard usage.