From Middle High German *geniezen*, Old High German *giniozan*, meaning "to make use of, to benefit from." Related to the Gothic *niutan* and distantly to English *neat* (as in cattle — things one "uses"). The prefix *ge-* adds a sense of completion or thoroughness.

Germans place high cultural value on *Genuss* (enjoyment/pleasure), the noun form of this verb. Phrases like *das Leben genießen* ("enjoy life") appear frequently in everyday speech. Note that *genießen* is a strong (irregular) verb: present *ich genieße*, past *ich genoss*, participle *genossen* — don't confuse it with the weaker *gefallen* ("to like/please").