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C1 noun #13,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 11 دقيقة للقراءة

Sühne

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح Sühne في 30 ثانية

الشرح Sühne in your Level:

At level A1, you don't really need the word 'Sühne'. It is too complicated. Instead, you use 'Entschuldigung' (sorry) or 'Es tut mir leid' (I am sorry). Think of 'Sühne' as a very, very big 'sorry' that you do with actions, not just words. For example, if you eat your friend's cake, you say 'Entschuldigung'. But if you are in a story and you do something very bad, and you want to make it right by working for a long time, that is like 'Sühne'. Just remember: 'Sühne' is for big problems, 'Entschuldigung' is for small problems. You will mostly see this word in books or very serious movies, not in daily life with your friends. If you hear it, think about someone trying to fix a big mistake.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At level A2, you might see 'Sühne' in simple stories or news headlines. It is a noun, 'die Sühne'. It means doing something to make a bad thing better. Usually, we use the verb 'sühnen' or the phrase 'Sühne leisten'. For example, 'Er leistet Sühne' means 'He is doing something to show he is sorry'. It is more serious than just saying 'sorry'. It is related to the word 'Sünde' (sin). If you do a 'Sünde', you might need 'Sühne'. But be careful: you don't use this word when you forget your homework or arrive late. Use it only for very serious things, like in a movie about history or a very dramatic novel.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should recognize 'Sühne' as a formal word for atonement or penance. It often appears in the context of history or religion. You might encounter it when reading about German history, specifically regarding how the country deals with its past. A common phrase is 'Sühne leisten für...' (to make amends for...). It is important to distinguish it from 'Wiedergutmachung', which is more about practical compensation. 'Sühne' has a moral or spiritual quality. If a character in a book feels very guilty and decides to live a simple life to help others, they are seeking 'Sühne'. It is a feminine noun: die Sühne.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At B2, you should be able to use 'Sühne' in written assignments that require a formal tone. It is a key term in the discussion of ethics and justice. You should understand that 'Sühne' implies a voluntary act to restore a moral balance. It is frequently used in literature—most famously in the title of Dostoevsky's 'Schuld und Sühne'. In terms of grammar, remember the collocation 'Sühne leisten'. You might also see it in legal contexts, like 'Sühneversuch' (an attempt at mediation). Compared to 'Strafe' (punishment), 'Sühne' suggests that the offender is actively trying to reconcile with the victim or society, rather than just being punished by the state.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'Sühne' and its place in German intellectual discourse. It is a high-register term that carries historical, theological, and philosophical weight. You should be able to discuss the concept of 'Kollektivsühne' (collective atonement) or the role of 'Sühne' in restorative justice. The word is often contrasted with 'Rache' (revenge) or 'Vergeltung' (retribution). In a C1 context, 'Sühne' is not just about an apology; it is about the ontological restoration of an order that has been violated. You should also be familiar with its word family, including the adjective 'ungesühnt' (unatoned/unpunished), often used in phrases like 'ein ungesühntes Verbrechen'.

At C2, you should master the philosophical and legal subtleties of 'Sühne'. This includes its etymological roots in the concept of peace-making (reconciliation) and its evolution into a term for moral expiation. You should be able to analyze how the concept of 'Sühne' is used in the works of authors like Nietzsche or Kafka, where it often intersects with themes of existential guilt and the law. In legal history, you should understand the 'Sühneversuch' not just as a procedural step, but as a vestige of ancient mediation practices. Your usage should reflect an awareness that 'Sühne' is one of those 'untranslatable' German words that encompasses more than just 'atonement'—it is the active, often painful process of achieving moral closure.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

Sühne في 30 ثانية

Sühne is a formal German noun meaning 'atonement' or 'expiation', used for serious moral or religious contexts.
It is most commonly used with the verb 'leisten' (to perform/render) and is feminine: 'die Sühne'.
Historically and legally, it refers to mediation and the active restoration of peace between parties.
It is significantly heavier and more formal than 'Entschuldigung' (apology) or 'Wiedergutmachung' (reparation).

The German noun Sühne is a profound and heavy term that translates primarily to 'atonement,' 'expiation,' or 'reparation.' Unlike the more common word Wiedergutmachung, which often refers to practical compensation or fixing a mistake, Sühne carries a significant moral, religious, and historical weight. It implies an act of balancing a spiritual or ethical debt. When someone seeks Sühne, they are not just trying to fix what they broke; they are attempting to cleanse their soul or their social standing through a sacrifice or a specific punitive act. In modern German, you will find this word in high-register literature, theological discussions, and legal contexts regarding mediation, though its most famous association is undoubtedly with the German title of Dostoevsky's masterpiece, Schuld und Sühne (Crime and Punishment).

Theological Weight: In a religious context, Sühne refers to the reconciliation between humanity and the divine. It is the act that removes the stain of sin. It is often linked to the concept of the 'Sühneopfer' (sacrificial offering), where a life or a valuable possession is given to appease a higher power or to restore a broken covenant.
Legal Historical Context: Historically, in Germanic law, Sühne was a formal agreement to end a blood feud. Instead of continuing a cycle of revenge, the offending party would offer a specific payment or perform an act of penance to 'buy back' peace. This transition from vengeance to Sühne was a crucial step in the development of modern civil society.

Nach Jahren der Flucht suchte der alte Mann schließlich den Weg der Sühne, indem er sein gesamtes Vermögen den Opfern spendete.

The term is also frequently encountered in discussions about historical responsibility. After the horrors of the 20th century, the German discourse on Vergangenheitsbewältigung (struggle to come to terms with the past) often touches upon whether true Sühne is even possible for certain crimes. Here, the word moves beyond individual guilt into collective responsibility. It is a word that demands gravity; using it for trivial mistakes, like forgetting to buy milk, would sound absurdly dramatic or sarcastic.

Gibt es eine Tat, die so schrecklich ist, dass keine Sühne jemals ausreichen würde?

Literary Usage: Authors use Sühne to explore the internal psychology of characters. It represents the moment a character stops running from their past and accepts the consequences of their actions. It is the bridge between guilt (Schuld) and peace (Frieden).

In everyday speech, you might hear the verb form sühnen more often than the noun, but the noun remains the anchor for abstract discussions about justice. It is often paired with verbs like leisten (to perform/render) or fordern (to demand). To 'Sühne leisten' is to actively engage in the process of making things right at a deep, fundamental level.

Das Gericht sah in der gemeinnützigen Arbeit eine angemessene Form der Sühne.

Using Sühne correctly requires an understanding of its typical grammatical environments. Because it is a formal and abstract noun, it often appears as the object of specific functional verbs. The most common construction is Sühne leisten, which functions similarly to 'to make amends' or 'to do penance.' You cannot simply 'make' Sühne (machen); you must 'render' it (leisten). This reflects the traditional view that atonement is a service provided to the community or the victim.

The Verb 'Leisten': Example: 'Er muss für sein Unrecht Sühne leisten.' (He must perform atonement for his wrongdoing.) This structure emphasizes the active participation of the offender in their own punishment or redemption.
The Verb 'Fordern': Example: 'Das Volk forderte Sühne für die Verbrechen des Diktators.' (The people demanded atonement for the dictator's crimes.) Here, Sühne is the object of a collective demand for justice that goes beyond mere legal sentencing.

Ohne eine aufrichtige Sühne wird es keine Versöhnung zwischen den verfeindeten Familien geben.

Another important aspect is the prepositional usage. We often talk about Sühne für (for) something. 'Sühne für eine Sünde' (atonement for a sin) or 'Sühne für einen Fehler' (reparation for a mistake). It is also frequently found in compound nouns, which are a hallmark of advanced German. Words like Sühneversuch (attempt at atonement) or Sühnezeichen (sign of penance) allow for precise expression in legal and religious texts.

Der Bau der Kapelle war als ein Akt der Sühne gedacht.

Abstract vs. Concrete: While Sühne is an abstract concept, it is often tied to concrete actions. 'Die Zahlung einer hohen Summe war seine Form der Sühne.' This bridges the gap between the internal feeling of guilt and the external requirement of justice.

In der antiken Tragödie führt die Hybris des Helden unweigerlich zur Notwendigkeit der Sühne.

In C1-level writing, using Sühne instead of Strafe (punishment) shows a sophisticated grasp of nuance. Strafe is something imposed by an external authority, whereas Sühne implies a moral necessity and often a voluntary element. If a criminal accepts their sentence as a way to clear their conscience, they are transforming Strafe into Sühne.

Die Philosophie stellt oft die Frage, ob Sühne durch bloßes Leiden erreicht werden kann.

While you won't hear Sühne at a typical German barbecue or in a casual chat about the weather, it is a staple of German cultural and intellectual life. If you watch German news (like Tagesschau) or read broadsheet newspapers (like Die Zeit or FAZ), you will encounter it in discussions about international law, historical apologies, or high-profile criminal cases. It is a word of the 'Feuilleton'—the cultural and literary section of the newspaper.

News and Politics: Journalists use 'Sühne' when reporting on war crimes tribunals or reparations to former colonies. It emphasizes the moral dimension of the political act. For example: 'Die Verhandlungen über Sühneleistungen für die Kolonialzeit dauern an.'
Literature and Cinema: German cinema often deals with themes of guilt. In films about the GDR (East Germany) or the Nazi era, the protagonist's journey toward Sühne is a common trope. The word appears in titles and critical reviews to signal a serious, dramatic tone.

Der Roman thematisiert die lebenslange Suche des Protagonisten nach Sühne für einen Verrat in seiner Jugend.

In religious life, specifically during 'Jom Kippur' (the Day of Atonement), German-speaking Jews refer to this day as Jom Kippur or Versöhnungstag, but the concept being celebrated is Sühne. Similarly, in Christian liturgy, the idea of Christ's death as a Sühnetod (atoning death) is central. If you attend a formal church service in Germany, especially during Lent or Passiontide, you will hear this word in hymns and sermons.

In der Oper 'Tannhäuser' von Richard Wagner ist die Sühne das zentrale Motiv der Handlung.

In a legal setting, German law includes the 'Sühneversuch' in certain civil cases. This is a mandatory attempt at mediation before a case can go to court for things like defamation or minor disputes. While the word here is more technical, it still carries the vestige of its original meaning: finding a way to resolve conflict without further escalation.

Bevor die Klage erhoben werden konnte, musste ein offizieller Sühneversuch vor dem Schiedsamt unternommen werden.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with Sühne is confusing it with phonetically similar words. The most common culprit is Sünde (sin). While they are related—you perform Sühne for a Sünde—they are not interchangeable. Sünde is the act of wrongdoing, whereas Sühne is the act of making it right. Confusing them can lead to sentences that mean the exact opposite of what you intend.

Sühne vs. Sünde: Mistake: 'Er hat eine schwere Sühne begangen.' (He committed a heavy atonement.)
Correct: 'Er hat eine schwere Sünde begangen.' (He committed a heavy sin.)
Sühne vs. Sonne: For beginners, the 'ü' sound can sometimes slip into an 'o'. 'Sonne' (sun) has a completely different vowel and meaning. Pay close attention to the umlaut!

Falsch: Ich brauche Sühne für meine Haut. (I need atonement for my skin - unless your skin has been very bad!)
Richtig: Ich brauche Sonne für meine Haut.

Another mistake involves the register. Sühne is a high-register word. Using it in a casual context, like apologizing for being five minutes late to a coffee date, sounds like heavy sarcasm or a linguistic error. For minor social transgressions, use Entschuldigung or Wiedergutmachung (e.g., 'Ich lade dich als Wiedergutmachung auf einen Kaffee ein'). Sühne is reserved for life-altering events or deep moral failings.

Grammatically, learners often forget the verb collocation. In English, we 'make' atonement. In German, you don't 'machen' Sühne. The verb is almost always leisten. Using 'machen' makes you sound like a non-native speaker. Similarly, the verb sühnen is transitive, meaning it takes a direct object (the crime itself), whereas the noun Sühne is used with the preposition für.

Falsch: Er sühnt für seine Taten.
Richtig: Er sühnt seine Taten. (OR: Er leistet Sühne für seine Taten.)

Pluralization: Avoid using the plural 'die Sühnen'. While technically correct, it sounds unnatural. Stick to the singular form as an abstract concept.

To truly master Sühne, you must understand how it relates to its synonyms. German has a rich vocabulary for the concept of 'making things right,' and each word has a specific flavor. The most common alternative is Buße. While often used interchangeably in religious contexts, Buße often has a more punitive or institutional feel (like a 'Bußgeld' or traffic fine), whereas Sühne is more about the internal restoration of balance.

Buße vs. Sühne: Buße is often an external requirement (doing penance), while Sühne is the metaphysical result of that action. You do Buße to achieve Sühne.
Wiedergutmachung: Literally 'making good again.' This is the standard word for practical reparations. If you break a window, you provide Wiedergutmachung. If you break a heart or a law of nature, you seek Sühne.

Während die Wiedergutmachung finanziell erfolgte, blieb die Frage der moralischen Sühne offen.

Another related word is Entschädigung (compensation). This is strictly financial or material. You receive Entschädigung for a flight delay. You would never use Sühne in that context. Then there is Abbitte. This is a very formal, somewhat old-fashioned way of saying 'apology.' You 'leisten Abbitte' (offer an apology) to someone you have insulted. It is more verbal and social than Sühne.

Er leistete öffentlich Abbitte für seine beleidigenden Äußerungen.

In a more secular, modern context, you might hear Ausgleich (balance/compensation). This is used in social and economic policy. 'Sozialer Ausgleich' refers to the balancing of wealth. Sühne is too emotionally and morally charged for policy papers. Understanding these boundaries will help you choose the right word for the right level of gravity.

Genugtuung: This means 'satisfaction' in a legal or honor-based sense. If someone insults you and you win a court case, you have received Genugtuung. It is more about the victim's feeling of justice than the offender's internal state.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The word is a 'cognate' with the English word 'soon' only in a very distant, debated way; however, its legal roots show how early societies prioritized reconciliation over endless revenge. In Old High German, a judge was sometimes called a 'suonari'.

دليل النطق

UK /ˈzyːnə/

US /ˈzinə/

The stress is on the first syllable: SÜH-ne.

يتقافى مع

Bühne (stage) Grüne (green things) Kühne (bold ones) Sühne (atonement) Hühne (giant) Söhne (sons - near rhyme) Düne (dune) Miene (facial expression - near rhyme)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the 'S' as unvoiced (like 'sun'). In German, initial 'S' before a vowel is usually voiced.
Replacing the 'ü' with a simple 'u' (making it sound like 'Suhne', which is not a word).
Replacing the 'ü' with 'i' (making it sound like 'Sine').
Confusing it with 'Sünde' (sin).
Pronouncing the 'h'. In German, 'h' after a vowel indicates the vowel is long and is itself silent.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 8/5

Requires understanding of high-register literature and abstract concepts.

الكتابة 9/5

Difficult to use correctly without sounding overly dramatic or using the wrong verb collocation.

التحدث 7/5

The 'ü' sound and the formal nature make it challenging for casual speakers.

الاستماع 7/5

Must be distinguished from 'Sünde' and 'Sonne' in rapid speech.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

Schuld Sünde leisten Wiedergutmachung verzeihen

تعلّم لاحقاً

Vergangenheitsbewältigung Versöhnung Gerechtigkeit Reue Bußfertigkeit

متقدم

Expiation Transzendenz Ontologie Dialektik Feuilleton

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Nouns ending in -e are typically feminine.

die Sühne, die Sünde, die Reue

The verb 'leisten' is used for providing a service or performing an abstract duty.

Sühne leisten, Arbeit leisten, Widerstand leisten

Genitive case for abstract nouns.

Der Akt der Sühne (The act of atonement)

Umlaut 'ü' pronunciation and its impact on meaning.

Sühne (atonement) vs. Sohne (son - dative singular, rare)

Transitive vs. Intransitive usage of the verb sühnen.

Er sühnte seine Schuld (transitive).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Er sagt: 'Ich brauche Sühne.'

He says: 'I need atonement.'

Sühne is a noun.

Sühne ist für große Fehler.

Atonement is for big mistakes.

Simple subject-verb-complement structure.

Ist das Sühne?

Is that atonement?

Question form.

Keine Sühne ohne Reue.

No atonement without regret.

Short phrase without a verb.

Sie sucht Sühne.

She is seeking atonement.

The verb 'suchen' takes the accusative.

Das ist ein Wort für Sühne.

That is a word for atonement.

Using 'für' with the noun.

Er leistet Sühne.

He performs atonement.

Introduction of the verb 'leisten'.

Sühne hilft dem Herz.

Atonement helps the heart.

The verb 'helfen' takes the dative (dem Herz).

Der Mann wollte Sühne leisten.

The man wanted to perform atonement.

Modal verb 'wollte' + infinitive 'leisten'.

Gibt es Sühne für diese Tat?

Is there atonement for this deed?

'Gibt es' + accusative.

Sie leistete Sühne durch Arbeit.

She performed atonement through work.

Preposition 'durch' + accusative.

Er fand keine Sühne.

He found no atonement.

Negative 'keine' with feminine noun.

Das Thema Sühne ist wichtig.

The topic of atonement is important.

Noun-noun compound/relation.

Warum ist Sühne so schwer?

Why is atonement so difficult?

Interrogative 'Warum'.

Sie hofft auf Sühne.

She hopes for atonement.

Verb 'hoffen' + preposition 'auf'.

Sühne ist mehr als ein Wort.

Atonement is more than a word.

Comparison 'mehr als'.

In vielen Religionen spielt die Sühne eine zentrale Rolle.

In many religions, atonement plays a central role.

Prepositional phrase 'In vielen Religionen' at the start.

Er versuchte, durch Sühne seinen inneren Frieden zu finden.

He tried to find his inner peace through atonement.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'.

Die Sühne für seine Fehler dauerte sein ganzes Leben.

The atonement for his mistakes lasted his whole life.

Subject is 'Die Sühne für seine Fehler'.

Können wir heute noch echte Sühne leisten?

Can we still perform true atonement today?

Modal verb 'können' in a question.

Das Gericht forderte eine symbolische Sühne.

The court demanded a symbolic atonement.

Adjective 'symbolische' modifying the noun.

Ohne Sühne gibt es keine Gerechtigkeit.

Without atonement there is no justice.

Preposition 'ohne' + accusative.

Sie glaubt fest an die Kraft der Sühne.

She firmly believes in the power of atonement.

Genitive case 'der Sühne'.

Die Tat verlangt nach Sühne.

The deed calls for atonement.

Verb 'verlangen' + preposition 'nach'.

Die historische Sühne ist ein komplexer Prozess.

Historical atonement is a complex process.

Adjective 'historische' in the nominative.

Er hat seine Schuld durch jahrelange Sühne getilgt.

He has erased his guilt through years of atonement.

Present perfect tense with 'hat... getilgt'.

Manche Verbrechen entziehen sich jeder Sühne.

Some crimes defy any atonement.

Reflexive verb 'sich entziehen' + dative.

Der Sühneversuch vor dem Schiedsmann scheiterte.

The attempt at mediation before the arbitrator failed.

Compound noun 'Sühneversuch'.

Es ist schwer, das richtige Maß an Sühne zu finden.

It is difficult to find the right measure of atonement.

Impersonal 'Es ist...' construction.

Sühne setzt die Anerkennung der eigenen Schuld voraus.

Atonement presupposes the recognition of one's own guilt.

Separable verb 'voraussetzen'.

Sie leistete Sühne, indem sie anonym spendete.

She performed atonement by donating anonymously.

Subordinate clause starting with 'indem'.

Die Sühne ist ein Akt der moralischen Wiederherstellung.

Atonement is an act of moral restoration.

Genitive attribute 'der moralischen Wiederherstellung'.

Die Frage nach der Möglichkeit kollektiver Sühne bleibt umstritten.

The question of the possibility of collective atonement remains controversial.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

In seinem Werk verknüpft der Autor Sühne mit existenzieller Angst.

In his work, the author links atonement with existential anxiety.

Verb 'verknüpfen' + preposition 'mit'.

Die Sühneleistung wurde als unzureichend empfunden.

The act of atonement was perceived as insufficient.

Passive voice 'wurde... empfunden'.

Er stilisierte sein Leiden zu einem Akt der Sühne.

He stylized his suffering into an act of atonement.

Verb 'stilisieren' + 'zu'.

Das Konzept der Sühne hat sich im Laufe der Jahrhunderte gewandelt.

The concept of atonement has changed over the centuries.

Present perfect with 'hat sich... gewandelt'.

Sühne darf nicht mit bloßer Vergeltung verwechselt werden.

Atonement must not be confused with mere retribution.

Passive voice with modal verb 'darf... werden'.

Die moralische Dimension der Sühne übersteigt den juristischen Rahmen.

The moral dimension of atonement exceeds the legal framework.

Transitive verb 'übersteigen'.

Oft ist Sühne der einzige Weg zur Versöhnung.

Often, atonement is the only path to reconciliation.

Adverb 'Oft' at the beginning.

Die ontologische Notwendigkeit der Sühne ist ein Leitmotiv der Tragödie.

The ontological necessity of atonement is a leitmotif of tragedy.

High-level vocabulary like 'ontologisch' and 'Leitmotiv'.

Nietzsche kritisierte den christlichen Sühnebegriff als lebensfeindlich.

Nietzsche criticized the Christian concept of atonement as hostile to life.

Complex sentence with 'als' + adjective.

Die Sühne fungiert hier als Mechanismus der sozialen Reintegration.

Atonement functions here as a mechanism of social reintegration.

Verb 'fungieren' + 'als'.

In der Dialektik von Schuld und Sühne offenbart sich die menschliche Natur.

In the dialectic of guilt and atonement, human nature reveals itself.

Prepositional phrase with 'In der Dialektik von'.

Das Verbrechen blieb ungesühnt, was die gesellschaftliche Spannung verschärfte.

The crime remained unatoned, which exacerbated social tension.

Relative clause referring to the entire preceding sentence.

Die Transzendenz der Sühne entzieht sich einer rein rationalen Analyse.

The transcendence of atonement eludes a purely rational analysis.

Dative object 'einer... Analyse'.

Sühne als Akt der Selbstbegegnung ist ein zentrales Thema der Moderne.

Atonement as an act of self-encounter is a central theme of modernity.

Apposition 'als Akt der Selbstbegegnung'.

Die Institutionalisierung der Sühne im Rechtssystem ist historisch belegt.

The institutionalization of atonement in the legal system is historically documented.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

تلازمات شائعة

Sühne leisten

Sühne fordern

ewige Sühne

Sühne erwirken

Akt der Sühne

Tag der Sühne

Sühne suchen

angemessene Sühne

symbolische Sühne

Sühne für das Unrecht

العبارات الشائعة

Schuld und Sühne

— Guilt and atonement; the German title of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment'.

Sein Leben gleicht dem Roman 'Schuld und Sühne'.

Sühne leisten müssen

— To be obligated to perform atonement.

Jeder muss irgendwann Sühne leisten.

Ein Sühnezeichen setzen

— To perform a visible act of penance or atonement.

Der Kanzler setzte mit seinem Kniefall ein Sühnezeichen.

Sühne für eine Sünde

— Atonement for a specific religious or moral sin.

Er betete um Sühne für seine Sünden.

Keine Sühne finden

— To be unable to find peace or forgiveness despite efforts.

Er fand trotz aller Bemühungen keine Sühne.

Den Weg der Sühne gehen

— To embark on a path of moral restoration.

Er entschied sich, den steinigen Weg der Sühne zu gehen.

Um Sühne bitten

— To ask for the opportunity to make amends.

Er bat die Familie des Opfers um Sühne.

Eine Tat sühnen

— To atone for a specific deed (verb usage).

Er wollte seine Tat durch Arbeit sühnen.

Sühne im Tod finden

— The idea that only death can provide final atonement.

Viele tragische Helden finden erst im Tod ihre Sühne.

Ein Sühnegebet sprechen

— To recite a prayer of atonement.

Die Gemeinde sprach ein gemeinsames Sühnegebet.

يُخلط عادةً مع

Sühne vs Sünde

Sünde is the sin itself; Sühne is the act of making up for it.

Sühne vs Sonne

Phonetically similar for beginners, but means 'sun'.

Sühne vs Söhne

The plural of 'Sohn' (son). Easy to confuse if the 'ü' is mispronounced.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Blut mit Blut sühnen"

— To seek blood vengeance; an eye for an eye (archaic/literary).

In alten Sagen wurde Blut oft mit Blut gesühnt.

Literary/Archaic

"Sühne bis aufs Blut"

— Extremely harsh or physical penance.

Er forderte Sühne bis aufs Blut.

Literary

"Sühne und Reue"

— A common pairing emphasizing that atonement requires true regret.

Ohne Reue gibt es keine wahre Sühne.

Neutral

"Die Sühne auf sich nehmen"

— To voluntarily take the burden of atonement upon oneself.

Er nahm die Sühne für die ganze Gruppe auf sich.

Formal

"Ein ungesühntes Unrecht"

— A wrong that has never been balanced or punished.

Das bleibt ein ungesühntes Unrecht der Geschichte.

Formal/Political

"Sühne leisten an jemandem"

— To perform atonement directed toward a specific person.

Er wollte Sühne an seinem Bruder leisten.

Formal

"Zur Sühne bereit sein"

— To be willing to make amends.

Bist du zur Sühne bereit?

Neutral

"Sühne im Geiste"

— Mental or spiritual atonement without physical action.

Manchmal reicht eine Sühne im Geiste nicht aus.

Philosophical

"Ein Akt der Sühne sein"

— To serve as a form of atonement.

Sein Schweigen war ein Akt der Sühne.

Neutral

"Sühne fordern von"

— To demand atonement from someone.

Das Schicksal fordert Sühne von ihm.

Literary

سهل الخلط

Sühne vs Buße

Both mean penance/atonement.

Buße is more institutional/punitive (like a fine); Sühne is more moral/restorative.

Er zahlte ein Bußgeld, aber er leistete keine Sühne.

Sühne vs Wiedergutmachung

Both involve fixing a mistake.

Wiedergutmachung is practical/material; Sühne is moral/spiritual.

Die Wiedergutmachung war Geld, die Sühne war ein Gebet.

Sühne vs Rache

Both are responses to a wrong.

Rache (revenge) is destructive; Sühne (atonement) is restorative.

Er wählte Sühne statt Rache.

Sühne vs Abbitte

Both are formal ways to apologize.

Abbitte is specifically a formal verbal/written apology.

Er leistete Abbitte für seine Worte.

Sühne vs Strafe

Both involve consequences for a deed.

Strafe is imposed externally; Sühne is often a voluntary moral act.

Die Strafe war das Gefängnis, die Sühne war seine Reue.

أنماط الجُمل

Er muss Sühne leisten für [Akkusativ].

Er muss Sühne leisten für seinen Fehler.

Die Sühne [Genitiv] ist ein schwieriger Weg.

Die Sühne der Schuld ist ein schwieriger Weg.

Es bedarf einer [Adjektiv] Sühne.

Es bedarf einer umfassenden Sühne.

In der Sühne manifestiert sich [Nominativ].

In der Sühne manifestiert sich der Wunsch nach Frieden.

Ohne Sühne bleibt [Nominativ] ungelöst.

Ohne Sühne bleibt der Konflikt ungelöst.

Sühne als Mittel zur [Substantiv].

Sühne als Mittel zur Versöhnung.

Sie sucht nach Sühne.

Sie sucht nach Sühne für ihre Taten.

Die Sühneleistung entfaltet eine [Adjektiv] Wirkung.

Die Sühneleistung entfaltet eine heilende Wirkung.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

Sühnung

Sühnopfer

Sühneversuch

Sühnezeichen

Sühnegeld

الأفعال

sühnen

entsühnen

versühnen (rare)

الصفات

sühnend

ungesühnt

sühnebereit

sühnebedürftig

مرتبط

Sünde

Buße

Schuld

Versöhnung

Gerechtigkeit

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Low in daily speech, High in literature/news/theology.

أخطاء شائعة

Using 'Sühne machen'. → Sühne leisten.
In German, you 'render' or 'perform' atonement, you don't 'make' it.
Confusing 'Sühne' with 'Sünde'. → Sühne (atonement) vs. Sünde (sin).
You perform Sühne for a Sünde. They are opposites in the process of justice.
Using 'Sühne' for a minor mistake. → Entschuldigung or Wiedergutmachung.
Sühne is too heavy for small social errors.
Pronouncing the 'h'. → The 'h' is silent and lengthens the 'ü'.
Pronouncing the 'h' makes the word sound non-native and incorrect.
Thinking 'Sühne' is only religious. → It has legal and historical meanings too.
Don't limit your understanding to church contexts; look at the 'Sühneversuch' in law.

نصائح

Verb Collocation

Always remember 'Sühne leisten'. This is the most natural way to use the word in a sentence.

Historical Weight

Be aware of the heavy historical context in Germany. Using 'Sühne' when discussing the past shows deep cultural understanding.

Synonym Nuance

Distinguish 'Sühne' from 'Buße'. 'Sühne' is about the moral result, 'Buße' is about the act of penance.

The Silent H

Don't pronounce the 'h'. It only serves to lengthen the 'ü' vowel.

Formal Register

Use 'Sühne' in essays or formal letters to elevate your language level.

The 'ü' Eyes

Visualize the dots on the 'ü' as eyes looking down in regret.

Literary Context

When you see 'Sühne' in a book, look for themes of guilt and redemption nearby.

Avoid Sarcasm

Unless you are very confident, avoid using 'Sühne' ironically, as it can be misunderstood.

Voiced S

Listen for the buzzing 'Z' sound at the start of the word.

Peace Roots

Remember that the word originally meant 'making peace' to help you understand its goal.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of the 'S' in Sühne as 'Soul' and the 'üh' as the sound you make when you are 'sorry'. Sühne is the act of cleaning your Soul because you are sorry.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person carrying a heavy stone (guilt) up a mountain to a temple. When they reach the top and leave the stone, they have achieved Sühne.

Word Web

Schuld Sünde Buße Sühne Frieden Gerechtigkeit Opfer Reue

تحدٍّ

Try to write a three-sentence story about a character seeking Sühne for a secret they've kept for 20 years. Use the word 'Sühne' at least twice.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from Middle High German 'suone' and Old High German 'suona', which originally meant 'judgment', 'legal decision', or 'reconciliation'. It is related to the verb 'sühnen'.

المعنى الأصلي: The original sense was 'making peace' or 'reaching a legal settlement' to avoid further conflict, especially blood feuds.

Germanic (Indo-European).

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using Sühne in political contexts; it can be a very sensitive term when discussing national history or collective guilt.

English speakers often use 'atonement' or 'reparation'. 'Sühne' is more common in German high-culture than 'atonement' is in everyday American English, which might prefer 'making amends'.

Dostoevsky's novel 'Schuld und Sühne'. Richard Wagner's opera 'Tannhäuser' (the theme of Sühne through the Pope's staff). Ian McEwan's novel 'Atonement' (translated as 'Abbitte', but often discussed using the concept of Sühne).

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Religion

Sühne für Sünden
Sühnopfer bringen
Tag der Sühne
Göttliche Sühne

Literature

Das Motiv der Sühne
Schuld und Sühne
Sühne suchen
Tragische Sühne

Law

Ein Sühneversuch
Sühneleistung erbringen
Sühneverfahren
Sühnetermin

History/Politics

Kollektive Sühne
Historische Sühne
Sühnezeichen setzen
Sühne für Kriegsverbrechen

Ethics/Philosophy

Moralische Sühne
Sühne und Gerechtigkeit
Die Notwendigkeit der Sühne
Sühne als Katharsis

بدايات محادثة

"Glaubst du, dass es Taten gibt, für die man niemals Sühne leisten kann?"

"Ist Sühne in unserer modernen Gesellschaft noch ein relevanter Begriff?"

"Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Strafe und Sühne aus deiner Sicht?"

"Sollte Sühne immer freiwillig sein, oder kann sie auch erzwungen werden?"

"Kennst du ein literarisches Werk, in dem das Thema Sühne eine wichtige Rolle spielt?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Reflektiere über eine Situation in deinem Leben, in der du das Gefühl hattest, Sühne leisten zu müssen.

Schreibe einen fiktiven Dialog zwischen zwei Personen, die über die Notwendigkeit von Sühne nach einem großen Streit diskutieren.

Wie hat sich das Konzept der Sühne in deiner Kultur im Vergleich zum deutschen Begriff verändert?

Kann Kunst eine Form der Sühne sein? Erörtere dies anhand eines Beispiels.

Beschreibe einen 'Sühneversuch', der entweder erfolgreich war oder kläglich scheiterte.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, it is very rare in casual conversation. You would use 'Entschuldigung' or 'Wiedergutmachung' instead. Sühne is reserved for very serious, formal, or literary contexts.

The most famous use is likely the title of the German translation of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment': 'Schuld und Sühne'.

No, that would sound very strange or sarcastic. Don't use it if you just spilled some water or forgot a meeting.

'Sühnen' is the verb (to atone for something), while 'Sühne leisten' is the noun-verb combination (to perform atonement). They are similar, but 'Sühne leisten' is more common in formal writing.

No, while it has strong religious roots, it is also used in legal history (Sühneversuch) and in political discussions about historical responsibility.

Shape your lips as if you are going to say 'oo' (as in 'mood'), but try to say 'ee' (as in 'see'). The result is the German 'ü'.

It is a sacrificial offering made to atone for a sin or crime. It can be literal (in ancient religions) or metaphorical (a great personal sacrifice).

The plural is 'die Sühnen', but it is almost never used because Sühne is an abstract concept.

Yes, because it leads to 'Versöhnung' (reconciliation) and 'Frieden' (peace). It is the difficult but necessary path to fixing a broken relationship.

In German law, it is a mandatory mediation attempt before certain minor civil cases can go to court. It aims to settle the dispute 'peacefully'.

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