In 15 Seconds
- Actively keeping old customs and family habits alive and well.
- Uses the verb for 'nursing' to show care and effort.
- Commonly used for holidays, family recipes, and local community festivals.
Meaning
It means actively keeping a custom or habit alive by practicing it regularly. Think of it as 'nursing' or 'tending' to a tradition so it doesn't wither away like an unwatered plant.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a family dinner
Wir pflegen die Tradition, jeden Sonntag gemeinsam zu frühstücken.
We maintain the tradition of having breakfast together every Sunday.
A company anniversary speech
In unserem Unternehmen pflegen wir die Tradition der offenen Tür.
In our company, we maintain the tradition of the open door.
Texting a friend about a holiday
Kommst du zum Glühwein? Wir müssen unsere Traditionen pflegen!
Are you coming for mulled wine? We have to maintain our traditions!
Cultural Background
The 'Vereinskultur' (club culture) is the backbone of tradition-keeping. From carnival to marksmen, these clubs are legally registered to 'pflegen' specific customs. In Austria, 'Kaffeehauskultur' (coffee house culture) is a tradition that is actively 'gepflegt' and is even part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Alpine traditions like 'Alpabzug' (bringing cows down from the mountains) are major events where communities 'pflegen' their heritage. While Germans 'pflegen' (nurture), Japanese culture often speaks of 'protecting' (mamoru) traditions, reflecting a different philosophical approach to heritage.
Use with 'bewahren'
Pair 'pflegen' with 'bewahren' (to preserve) in formal writing to sound like a native expert.
Not for new habits
Don't use it for your new 2-week-old yoga routine. It sounds pretentious.
In 15 Seconds
- Actively keeping old customs and family habits alive and well.
- Uses the verb for 'nursing' to show care and effort.
- Commonly used for holidays, family recipes, and local community festivals.
What It Means
Traditionen pflegen is about more than just having a history. It implies active care and dedication. In German, the verb pflegen is used for nursing the sick or grooming your skin. When you apply it to traditions, you are saying these customs need attention to survive. It is a warm, intentional way to describe staying connected to your roots.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase when talking about family, community, or even company culture. It often appears with the word wir (we) because traditions are usually shared. You can say Wir pflegen die Tradition... followed by whatever you do. It sounds more elegant than just saying 'we do this every year.' It shows you value the action deeply.
When To Use It
Use it during the holidays like Christmas or Easter. It is perfect for family gatherings when someone brings out a 100-year-old recipe. You can also use it in a professional setting. A boss might say it to highlight the company's long-standing values. It works great when explaining your culture to a new friend over coffee.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for brand-new habits. If you started going to the gym last week, you are not 'nursing a tradition.' It also feels too heavy for minor, personal quirks. Don't use it for things that happen by accident. It requires a conscious effort to count as pflegen. Avoid using it for negative habits you can't quit.
Cultural Background
Germany is a land of Vereine (clubs) and local festivals. From Schützenfest to Karneval, people take great pride in these events. For many Germans, Traditionen pflegen is a way to create stability in a fast-changing world. It is a deeply respected concept that bridges the gap between generations. It is why you still see young people in traditional Tracht at festivals.
Common Variations
You might hear Bräuche pflegen, which refers specifically to local customs. Another one is Kontakte pflegen, which means keeping in touch with friends. If you want to sound very official, you might hear das kulturelle Erbe pflegen. This means preserving cultural heritage. All these variations use the 'nursing' metaphor to show that relationships and habits need work.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any register. Just be careful not to use it for very modern or trivial habits unless you are being intentionally funny.
Use with 'bewahren'
Pair 'pflegen' with 'bewahren' (to preserve) in formal writing to sound like a native expert.
Not for new habits
Don't use it for your new 2-week-old yoga routine. It sounds pretentious.
The 'Verein' connection
If you talk about 'Traditionspflege', Germans will immediately think of local clubs and associations.
Passive Voice
It's very common to use this in the passive: 'Hier wird die Tradition noch gepflegt.'
Examples
6Wir pflegen die Tradition, jeden Sonntag gemeinsam zu frühstücken.
We maintain the tradition of having breakfast together every Sunday.
A very common way to describe recurring family activities.
In unserem Unternehmen pflegen wir die Tradition der offenen Tür.
In our company, we maintain the tradition of the open door.
Used here to describe a professional culture or philosophy.
Kommst du zum Glühwein? Wir müssen unsere Traditionen pflegen!
Are you coming for mulled wine? We have to maintain our traditions!
Casual and slightly playful use among friends.
Ich pflege die Tradition, meine Steuererklärung erst im letzten Moment zu machen.
I maintain the tradition of doing my tax return at the very last moment.
Using a formal phrase for a relatable struggle adds humor.
Es ist wichtig, alte Bräuche zu pflegen, damit sie nicht vergessen werden.
It is important to maintain old customs so they aren't forgotten.
Reflects a sense of duty toward history.
In diesem Dorf pflegen die Bewohner seit 500 Jahren diese Tradition.
In this village, the residents have maintained this tradition for 500 years.
Highlights the longevity and community effort.
Test Yourself
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'pflegen'.
Meine Großeltern _______ seit 50 Jahren die Tradition, jeden Sonntag in die Kirche zu gehen.
Das Subjekt ist 'Meine Großeltern' (Plural), also brauchen wir die Pluralform 'pflegen'.
Welches Verb passt am besten zu 'Traditionen'?
In Bayern wird viel Wert darauf gelegt, das Brauchtum zu _______.
'Traditionen pflegen' ist eine feste Kollokation.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
A: Warum backt ihr jedes Jahr diese speziellen Kekse? B: Weil wir diese alte Familientradition _________ wollen.
Man möchte eine Tradition 'pflegen', um sie lebendig zu halten.
Welche Situation passt zu 'Traditionen pflegen'?
Wähle die passende Situation aus.
Ein regelmäßiges, kulturelles Ereignis ist eine Tradition.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tradition: Pflegen vs. Brechen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMeine Großeltern _______ seit 50 Jahren die Tradition, jeden Sonntag in die Kirche zu gehen.
Das Subjekt ist 'Meine Großeltern' (Plural), also brauchen wir die Pluralform 'pflegen'.
In Bayern wird viel Wert darauf gelegt, das Brauchtum zu _______.
'Traditionen pflegen' ist eine feste Kollokation.
A: Warum backt ihr jedes Jahr diese speziellen Kekse? B: Weil wir diese alte Familientradition _________ wollen.
Man möchte eine Tradition 'pflegen', um sie lebendig zu halten.
Wähle die passende Situation aus.
Ein regelmäßiges, kulturelles Ereignis ist eine Tradition.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! 'Hautpflege' (skincare) is a very common use of the verb. It means to take care of your skin.
'Tradition' is broader and can be national or global. '{der|m} Brauch' is usually more local and specific (like a specific dance).
The phrase itself is neutral, but the act can be seen as conservative depending on the context.
Yes, it means you take very good care of your car, keeping it in top condition.
It's regular: 'Ich pflegte' (simple past) or 'Ich habe gepflegt' (present perfect).
Yes, '{die|f} Pflege'. In this context, '{die|f} Traditionspflege'.
Absolutely! 'Freundschaften pflegen' is a very common and beautiful way to say you put effort into your friends.
It's the official term for the organized maintenance of local customs, often by clubs.
Yes, you pflegen *something* (direct object).
You can, but it sounds more like 'keeping' them in a box. 'Pflegen' sounds like you are actually doing them.
Yes, for 'Unternehmenskultur' (corporate culture) or 'Kundenpflege' (customer relations).
To break with tradition: 'mit einer Tradition brechen'.
Related Phrases
Brauchtum pflegen
synonymTo maintain regional customs
Kontakte pflegen
similarTo stay in touch with people
Gewohnheiten beibehalten
similarTo keep up habits
Mit einer Tradition brechen
contrastTo break with a tradition
Traditionspflege
specialized formThe act of maintaining tradition (noun)
