gfrein

• gfreun (alternative spelling)

From Middle High German gevröuwen, from Old High German frewan, frouwen, a derivation of frō (“glad”). Cognate with German freuen.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡ̥frɑɛ̯n/
• IPA^(key): /ˈɡ̥fræːn/ (Vienna)

gfrein (past participle gfreit)

1. (transitive, impersonal) to gladden, to make glad, to make pleased

   [Es] gfreit mi, Ihna kennaz'lerna. ― I'm pleased to meet you. (literally, “ pleases me to get to know you.”) (formal)

   Gfreit mi. ― I'm pleased to meet you (literally, “Pleases me.”) (less formal)

2. (transitive, chiefly in the negative) to enjoy

   Heit gfreit mi's Hackln ned. ― I don't enjoy working today.

3. (reflexive) to be glad, pleased, or happy about something, to rejoice
   • 1938, Josef Weinheber, Wien wörtlich, Impression im März:

     Wårme Sunn, dås erste Pråterveigerl:
     Ållweil wieder gfreust di wiara Kind.

     Warm sun, the first violet:
     You always rejoice like a child again.

   I gfrei mi iwa's Gschenk. ― I'm happy about the gift.

   Er håd se gfreit, dåss eana sei Essn gschmeckt håd. ― He was pleased that they liked his food.

4. (reflexive) to look forward to

   Mia gfrein uns auf eich! ― We look forward to seeing you!

5. (reflexive) to be happy for someone

   Då gfrei i mi fia di! ― I'm happy for you!

• Maria Hornung, Sigmar Grüner (2002) “gfrein”, in Wörterbuch der Wiener Mundart, 2nd edition, ÖBV & HPT