At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'atheistisch' means someone does not believe in God. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'Ich bin atheistisch' (I am atheistic). It is an adjective that describes a person's belief. You might learn it when talking about your family or your hobbies and interests. Even though the word is long, it is easy to remember because it looks like the English word 'atheistic'. Just remember that in German, we don't pronounce the 'h' sound. It is just a 't' sound. At this level, you don't need to worry about complex grammar, just the basic meaning that someone is not religious and does not go to church because they don't believe in a deity. It is a good word to have if you want to explain why you don't celebrate certain religious holidays or why you don't go to a church service with friends.
At the A2 level, you start using 'atheistisch' to describe other people and things. You can say 'Mein Freund ist atheistisch' or 'Das ist ein atheistisches Buch'. You are beginning to learn about adjective endings, so you might notice that the ending of 'atheistisch' changes depending on the noun it is with. For example, 'ein atheistischer Vater' (a masculine noun) or 'eine atheistische Mutter' (a feminine noun). You can use this word when talking about your background or your opinions on society. It is useful for basic conversations about culture. You might also hear it in simple news reports about people who don't belong to a church. It is a neutral word at this level, used to provide information about someone's identity. You should practice saying the word clearly, as the '-isch' ending is very common in German adjectives like 'englisch' or 'spanisch'.
At the B1 level, 'atheistisch' becomes a tool for discussing social and philosophical topics in more detail. You can explain your worldview using sub-clauses, such as 'Ich bin atheistisch, weil ich mehr an die Wissenschaft glaube als an die Religion' (I am atheistic because I believe more in science than in religion). You will encounter this word in texts about German history, especially regarding the difference between East and West Germany. You should be able to use the word with all adjective endings in the nominative, accusative, and dative cases. For example, 'In einer atheistischen Gesellschaft...' (In an atheistic society...). You are also expected to distinguish between being 'atheistisch' and being 'konfessionslos' (not belonging to a church). This level requires you to understand the word in context, such as in a debate or a newspaper article about secularism. It is a key term for expressing your identity and understanding the identities of others in a modern, diverse Germany.
At the B2 level, you use 'atheistisch' to engage in complex discussions about ethics, politics, and philosophy. You can discuss the 'atheistische Weltanschauung' (atheistic worldview) and compare it with religious or agnostic views. You should be able to use the word in formal writing, such as an essay about the role of religion in modern life. You will understand nuances, like the difference between a 'säkularer Staat' (secular state) and an 'atheistisches Regime' (atheistic regime). You can use the word to describe abstract concepts, like 'atheistische Ethik' (atheistic ethics), and explain how one can be moral without believing in God. Your grammar should be precise, correctly applying adjective endings even in complex sentences with prepositions and different cases. You might also encounter the word in literary analysis or historical texts, where you discuss the influence of atheistic thinkers on German culture and literature.
At the C1 level, 'atheistisch' is used in highly academic and specialized contexts. You might analyze 'atheistische Existenzphilosophie' (atheistic existentialism) in the works of Jean-Paul Sartre or discuss the 'atheistische Kritik' of Karl Marx. You understand the historical development of the word and its sociological implications in contemporary Europe. You can use the word with precision in debates, distinguishing it from related terms like 'nihilistisch' (nihilistic) or 'humanistisch' (humanistic). You are comfortable with the word in all its forms and can recognize it in complex, fast-paced native speech, such as in university lectures or high-level political talk shows. You can also discuss the linguistic nuances, such as how the word's connotation has shifted from a pejorative term in the 18th century to a neutral or even positive identity marker today. Your use of the word is fluent, and you can integrate it into sophisticated arguments about the nature of belief and the structure of society.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of the word 'atheistisch'. You can use it to explore the deepest philosophical and theological questions in German. You might write a thesis or a long-form article discussing the 'Atheistische Theologie' (a paradoxical concept in modern thought) or the 'post-atheistische' trends in modern philosophy. You understand the subtle irony or rhetorical weight the word can carry in different literary styles. You can effortlessly switch between different registers, using 'atheistisch' in a casual conversation or a formal academic debate with equal ease. You are aware of the word's place in the broader history of ideas, from the 'Atheismusstreit' of the late 18th century involving Fichte to modern 'New Atheism'. Your ability to use the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, and you can use it to express fine shades of meaning, such as the difference between 'methodologischer Atheismus' in science and 'existentieller Atheismus' in personal life.

atheistisch em 30 segundos

  • The word 'atheistisch' is an adjective used to describe a lack of belief in deities or anything related to the philosophy of atheism.
  • It is commonly used in Germany to describe personal identity, especially in the eastern states where secularism is historically very strong.
  • Grammatically, it follows standard adjective declension rules, changing its ending based on the gender, case, and number of the noun it modifies.
  • It is important to distinguish it from 'agnostisch' (uncertain about God) and 'säkular' (politically neutral regarding religion).

The German adjective atheistisch is the direct equivalent of the English word 'atheistic.' At its core, it describes a worldview, a person, or a philosophy that does not involve or believe in the existence of a deity or deities. While the word itself is straightforward, its usage in German-speaking countries carries significant historical and social weight, particularly when comparing the former East Germany (DDR) and West Germany. In the East, an atheistisch upbringing was the state-sponsored norm, whereas in the West, religious traditions remained more integrated into public life. Today, calling someone atheistisch is generally a neutral, descriptive act, though in very conservative or religious circles, it might still carry a slight edge of controversy.

Philosophical Context
In philosophy, atheistisch refers to the explicit denial of theism. It is often distinguished from 'agnostisch' (agnostic), where the latter claims uncertainty rather than a definitive lack of belief. For example, a book might be described as having an atheistische Tendenz if it argues against divine intervention.
Social Context
In modern Germany, especially in urban centers like Berlin or Leipzig, being atheistisch is extremely common. It is often linked with the term 'konfessionslos' (without religious affiliation), though one can be unaffiliated without necessarily being an atheist. Socially, it implies a reliance on science, humanism, or secular ethics over religious scripture.

Viele junge Menschen in Berlin bezeichnen sich selbst als atheistisch, da sie ohne religiöse Erziehung aufgewachsen sind.

— Many young people in Berlin describe themselves as atheistic, as they grew up without a religious upbringing.

The word is versatile in its grammatical application. It can modify nouns directly, such as eine atheistische Weltanschauung (an atheistic worldview), or it can function as a predicate adjective, as in Er ist atheistisch (He is atheistic). Because it ends in '-isch', it follows the standard rules for adjective endings in German, which change based on the gender, case, and number of the noun it precedes. Understanding these endings is crucial for B1 learners who are moving beyond simple subject-verb-adjective structures into more complex descriptive language.

Es gibt einen großen Unterschied zwischen einer agnostischen und einer atheistischen Herangehensweise an die Existenz Gottes.

— There is a big difference between an agnostic and an atheistic approach to the existence of God.

Furthermore, atheistisch is frequently used in academic and political discussions. When debating the separation of church and state (Säkularisierung), speakers might refer to atheistische Argumente to support a purely secular legal framework. It is a word that signals a certain level of education and engagement with philosophical concepts, making it a key vocabulary item for those wishing to participate in deeper German conversations.

Using atheistisch correctly requires attention to adjective declension. Since it is an adjective, it must match the noun it describes. However, when used after a linking verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain), it stays in its base form.

Predicative Use (No Ending)
When the adjective follows the noun and a verb, it does not change.
Example: Mein Bruder ist atheistisch. (My brother is atheistic.)
Attributive Use (With Endings)
When the adjective comes before the noun, it needs an ending.
Example: Er hat eine atheistische Einstellung. (He has an atheistic attitude.) Here, the '-e' is added because 'Einstellung' is feminine and in the accusative case with an indefinite article.

Trotz seiner atheistischen Überzeugung respektiert er die Traditionen seiner Familie.

— Despite his atheistic conviction, he respects his family's traditions.

In more advanced constructions, atheistisch can be modified by adverbs like 'streng' (strictly), 'völlig' (completely), or 'eher' (rather). This allows you to specify the degree of atheism. For instance, Er wurde in einem eher atheistischen Haushalt erzogen suggests a household that wasn't militantly anti-religious but simply lived without faith.

Das Museum zeigt Kunstwerke aus einer Zeit, in der atheistische Ideen streng verboten waren.

— The museum shows artworks from a time when atheistic ideas were strictly forbidden.

When talking about countries or regimes, the word is often used to describe the official stance of the state. Ein atheistischer Staat (an atheistic state) is one that actively promotes atheism, whereas a 'säkularer Staat' (secular state) is simply neutral toward religion. This distinction is vital in political science and history contexts.

You will encounter atheistisch in various spheres of German life, from intellectual debates to casual conversations about identity. Because Germany has a significant population of non-believers, the word is not confined to dusty philosophy books; it is part of the living language.

News and Documentaries
On channels like ARD, ZDF, or Arte, you might hear journalists discussing the 'atheistische Prägung' (atheistic character) of East Germany when analyzing election results or social trends. It is used to explain why certain regions react differently to church-related policies.
University and Schools
In 'Ethikunterricht' (ethics class), which many German students take instead of 'Religionsunterricht' (religion class), atheistisch is a core term. Students learn about atheistische Existenzphilosophie (atheistic existentialism) and figures like Nietzsche or Feuerbach.

In der Talkshow wurde heftig über die atheistischen Wurzeln der modernen Wissenschaft debattiert.

— In the talk show, there was a heated debate about the atheistic roots of modern science.

In literature and film, an atheistischer Charakter might be portrayed as someone struggling with the meaning of life in a godless universe, or conversely, as someone liberated from religious dogma. In German crime dramas (Krimis), you might hear a character say, 'Ich bin atheistisch, ich glaube nicht an das Jenseits,' during a scene involving a funeral or a death investigation.

Die Studie zeigt, dass immer mehr Menschen in Europa eine atheistische Lebensweise bevorzugen.

— The study shows that more and more people in Europe prefer an atheistic way of life.

Finally, you will find the word in podcasts and YouTube channels focusing on 'Humanismus' or 'Freidenkertum' (free-thinking). These communities often use atheistisch as a badge of identity, promoting a worldview based on reason and empathy rather than divine command.

Even at the B1 level, learners often stumble over the nuances of atheistisch. The most frequent errors involve confusing it with related concepts or misapplying grammatical rules.

Atheistisch vs. Agnostisch
Many learners use these interchangeably. Atheistisch implies a lack of belief ('Ich glaube nicht'), while agnostisch implies a lack of knowledge ('Ich weiß es nicht'). Using the wrong one can change the meaning of your philosophical stance significantly.
Atheistisch vs. Säkular
A common mistake is calling a government 'atheistisch' when you mean 'säkular'. A secular government is neutral; an atheistic government (like the historical USSR) actively opposes religion. In modern Germany, the state is säkular, not atheistisch.

Falsch: Ich bin ein atheistisch Mensch.

Richtig: Ich bin ein atheistischer Mensch.

— Correcting the missing adjective ending in the nominative masculine case.

Another mistake is the pronunciation of the 'th'. In German, 'th' is pronounced like a simple 't'. Do not use the English 'th' sound (as in 'think'). It should sound like a-te-is-tisch. Mispronouncing this can make the word hard for native speakers to recognize immediately.

Manche Leute denken, dass atheistisch das Gleiche wie 'böse' ist, aber das ist ein Vorurteil.

— Some people think that atheistic is the same as 'evil,' but that is a prejudice.

Finally, be careful with the word 'gottlos'. While it can mean 'atheistic', it often carries a negative, moralizing connotation (like 'godless' or 'wicked' in English). If you want to be neutral and descriptive, always stick with atheistisch.

To enrich your German, it is helpful to know words that are similar to atheistisch but carry different shades of meaning. Depending on whether you are talking about politics, personal belief, or philosophy, you might choose a different term.

Konfessionslos
Meaning: Without a religious denomination.
Usage: This is a bureaucratic term. Many people are konfessionslos (they don't pay church tax) but might still be spiritual. Atheistisch is a more active statement of belief (or lack thereof).
Weltlich / Profan
Meaning: Worldly, secular, non-religious.
Usage: Use weltlich when referring to music, laws, or education that are not religious. For example, 'weltliche Musik' (secular music) vs. 'geistliche Musik' (sacred music).
Unreligiös
Meaning: Non-religious.
Usage: A softer, more general term. If someone just doesn't care about religion, they might say they are unreligiös rather than the more philosophically heavy atheistisch.

Statt einer kirchlichen Trauung wählte das Paar eine weltliche Zeremonie.

— Instead of a church wedding, the couple chose a secular ceremony.

In academic writing, you might also see irreligiös (irreligious), which often implies a lack of religion or an indifference to it. If you want to describe someone who is actively against religion, the term antireligiös is more appropriate. Understanding these distinctions allows you to be precise in your descriptions.

Obwohl er atheistisch ist, liest er gerne theologische Bücher, um die Kultur besser zu verstehen.

— Although he is atheistic, he enjoys reading theological books to better understand the culture.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Neutro

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Informal

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Child friendly

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Gíria

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Curiosidade

In ancient Greece, 'atheist' was sometimes used to describe Christians because they rejected the traditional Greek gods!

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ateˈɪstɪʃ/
US /ateˈɪstɪʃ/
The primary stress is on the second-to-last syllable: a-the-IS-tisch.
Rima com
optimistisch pessimistisch realistisch artistisch juristisch touristisch egoistisch humanistisch
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing 'th' like the English 'th' in 'think'.
  • Stressing the first syllable (A-theistisch).
  • Pronouncing the '-isch' ending like '-itch'.
  • Merging the 'e' and 'i' into a single sound; they should be distinct: a-te-is-tisch.
  • Forgetting the 't' in the middle and saying 'a-the-is-isch'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English cognate.

Escrita 4/5

Requires correct adjective endings and spelling of '-isch'.

Expressão oral 3/5

Must avoid English 'th' sound and master the '-isch' suffix.

Audição 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to distinguish.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Gott glauben Religion Kirche nicht

Aprenda a seguir

agnostisch säkular Weltanschauung Ethik Humanismus

Avançado

Existenzialismus Materialismus Nihilismus Theodizee

Gramática essencial

Adjective Endings (Mixed Declension)

Er ist ein atheistischer Mann.

Adjective Endings (Weak Declension)

Die atheistische Frau spricht.

Adjective Endings (Strong Declension)

Atheistisches Denken ist logisch.

Adverbial Use of Adjectives

Sie denkt atheistisch.

Comparative and Superlative

Er ist atheistischer als sein Bruder.

Exemplos por nível

1

Ich bin atheistisch.

I am atheistic.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

2

Ist er atheistisch?

Is he atheistic?

Question form with 'sein'.

3

Meine Familie ist nicht atheistisch.

My family is not atheistic.

Negation with 'nicht'.

4

Sie ist eine atheistische Frau.

She is an atheistic woman.

Attributive adjective with feminine ending '-e'.

5

Wir leben atheistisch.

We live atheistically.

Adverbial use (looks same as adjective).

6

Das ist ein atheistisches Buch.

That is an atheistic book.

Attributive adjective with neuter ending '-es'.

7

Er hat einen atheistischen Freund.

He has an atheistic friend.

Attributive adjective with masculine accusative ending '-en'.

8

Sind sie atheistisch?

Are they atheistic?

Plural question form.

1

Viele Leute in Berlin sind atheistisch.

Many people in Berlin are atheistic.

Plural subject with 'sein'.

2

Mein Vater war früher nicht atheistisch.

My father was not atheistic in the past.

Past tense 'war'.

3

Ich kenne viele atheistische Kinder.

I know many atheistic children.

Plural accusative ending '-e'.

4

Sie schreibt einen atheistischen Text.

She is writing an atheistic text.

Masculine accusative ending '-en'.

5

Das ist eine atheistische Sichtweise.

That is an atheistic perspective.

Feminine nominative ending '-e'.

6

Wir sprechen über atheistische Ideen.

We are talking about atheistic ideas.

Plural accusative ending '-e' after 'über'.

7

Er ist ein sehr atheistischer Mensch.

He is a very atheistic person.

Masculine nominative ending '-er' with indefinite article.

8

Warum bist du atheistisch?

Why are you atheistic?

Question with 'warum'.

1

In Ostdeutschland sind viele Menschen atheistisch erzogen worden.

In East Germany, many people were raised atheistically.

Passive voice with 'worden'.

2

Obwohl er atheistisch ist, feiert er Weihnachten.

Although he is atheistic, he celebrates Christmas.

Conjunction 'obwohl' with verb at the end.

3

Sie vertritt eine klare atheistische Position.

She represents a clear atheistic position.

Feminine accusative with adjective ending.

4

Es ist schwierig, in einer streng religiösen Familie atheistisch zu sein.

It is difficult to be atheistic in a strictly religious family.

Infinitve construction with 'zu sein'.

5

Die atheistische Bewegung wächst in vielen Ländern.

The atheistic movement is growing in many countries.

Feminine nominative with definite article.

6

Er liest gerne Bücher über atheistische Philosophie.

He likes reading books about atheistic philosophy.

Adjective ending after preposition 'über'.

7

Kann man moralisch sein, wenn man atheistisch ist?

Can one be moral if one is atheistic?

Conditional 'wenn' clause.

8

Diese atheistischen Argumente sind sehr überzeugend.

These atheistic arguments are very convincing.

Plural nominative with 'diese'.

1

Die Trennung von Kirche und Staat ist eine atheistische Forderung.

The separation of church and state is an atheistic demand.

Feminine nominative with indefinite article.

2

Er hat sich intensiv mit der atheistischen Weltanschauung auseinandergesetzt.

He has dealt intensively with the atheistic worldview.

Dative feminine ending '-en' after 'mit'.

3

In diesem Film wird ein atheistischer Protagonist dargestellt.

In this film, an atheistic protagonist is portrayed.

Masculine nominative ending '-er' with indefinite article.

4

Die atheistische Kritik an der Religion ist oft sehr scharf.

The atheistic critique of religion is often very sharp.

Feminine nominative with definite article.

5

Viele Wissenschaftler nehmen eine methodisch atheistische Haltung ein.

Many scientists adopt a methodically atheistic stance.

Feminine accusative ending '-e'.

6

Es gibt verschiedene Strömungen innerhalb der atheistischen Gemeinschaft.

There are different currents within the atheistic community.

Dative feminine ending '-en' after 'innerhalb'.

7

Sein atheistischer Glaube basiert auf Logik und Vernunft.

His atheistic belief is based on logic and reason.

Masculine nominative ending '-er' (note: 'Glaube' is used here in a secular sense).

8

Sie lehnt religiöse Dogmen ab und lebt völlig atheistisch.

She rejects religious dogmas and lives completely atheistically.

Adverbial use with 'völlig'.

1

Die atheistische Existenzphilosophie prägte das Denken des 20. Jahrhunderts.

Atheistic existentialism shaped the thinking of the 20th century.

Feminine nominative with definite article.

2

Man muss zwischen politischem und individuellem atheistisch-sein unterscheiden.

One must distinguish between political and individual being-atheistic.

Substantivized adjective with hyphen.

3

Die Radikalität seiner atheistischen Thesen schockierte seine Zeitgenossen.

The radical nature of his atheistic theses shocked his contemporaries.

Genitive plural ending '-en'.

4

In seinem Werk findet man zahlreiche atheistische Anspielungen.

In his work, one finds numerous atheistic allusions.

Plural accusative ending '-e'.

5

Die Gesellschaft ist heute weitaus atheistischer als noch vor fünfzig Jahren.

Society is far more atheistic today than fifty years ago.

Comparative form 'atheistischer'.

6

Er vertritt einen radikalen, fast schon militanten atheistischen Standpunkt.

He represents a radical, almost militant atheistic viewpoint.

Masculine accusative ending '-en'.

7

Die philosophische Begründung für ein atheistisches Weltbild ist komplex.

The philosophical justification for an atheistic worldview is complex.

Neuter accusative ending '-es' with indefinite article.

8

Trotz der atheistischen Grundhaltung der Regierung blieb die Kirche ein Machtfaktor.

Despite the government's atheistic stance, the church remained a power factor.

Genitive feminine ending '-en' after 'trotz'.

1

Die Dekonstruktion religiöser Mythen führt oft zu einer atheistischen Konsequenz.

The deconstruction of religious myths often leads to an atheistic consequence.

Feminine dative ending '-en' after 'zu'.

2

Nietzsches Proklamation des Todes Gottes ist der Inbegriff atheistischen Denkens.

Nietzsche's proclamation of the death of God is the epitome of atheistic thinking.

Genitive neuter ending '-en' without article.

3

Es ist ein Trugschluss zu glauben, dass ein atheistisches Leben sinnfrei sei.

It is a fallacy to believe that an atheistic life is meaningless.

Neuter nominative with indefinite article and Konjunktiv I.

4

Die dialektische Aufhebung der Religion mündet in einem atheistischen Humanismus.

The dialectical sublation of religion ends in an atheistic humanism.

Masculine dative ending '-en' after 'in'.

5

Sein Werk ist von einem tiefgreifenden atheistischen Skeptizismus durchdrungen.

His work is permeated by a profound atheistic skepticism.

Masculine dative ending '-en' after 'von'.

6

Die atheistische Komponente seiner Philosophie wird oft übersehen.

The atheistic component of his philosophy is often overlooked.

Feminine nominative with definite article.

7

In der Postmoderne verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen religiöser und atheistischer Erfahrung.

In postmodernity, the boundaries between religious and atheistic experience blur.

Feminine dative ending '-en' after 'zwischen'.

8

Eine rein atheistische Ontologie muss die Frage nach dem Sein neu formulieren.

A purely atheistic ontology must reformulate the question of being.

Feminine nominative with indefinite article.

Colocações comuns

atheistische Weltanschauung
atheistisch erzogen
atheistische Propaganda
atheistischer Standpunkt
atheistische Philosophie
völlig atheistisch
atheistische Moral
atheistische Gruppierung
atheistisches Argument
eher atheistisch

Frases Comuns

Ich bin atheistisch.

— Simple statement of one's lack of belief in God.

Auf die Frage nach seiner Religion antwortete er: 'Ich bin atheistisch.'

Atheistisch eingestellt sein.

— To have an atheistic mindset or attitude.

Er ist sehr atheistisch eingestellt und lehnt Kirchen ab.

Eine atheistische Sicht auf die Dinge.

— An atheistic perspective on things.

Sie hat eine rein atheistische Sicht auf die Entstehung der Welt.

Atheistisch geprägt sein.

— To be influenced by an atheistic environment or culture.

Viele Regionen im Osten Deutschlands sind atheistisch geprägt.

Rein atheistisch.

— Purely atheistic, without any spiritual elements.

Seine Erklärung für das Universum ist rein atheistisch.

Streng atheistisch.

— Strictly atheistic, often implying a firm or militant stance.

Er kommt aus einem streng atheistischen Elternhaus.

Atheistisch leben.

— To live one's life according to atheistic principles.

Kann man ohne Gott glücklich sein und atheistisch leben?

Atheistische Tendenzen.

— Atheistic tendencies or leanings.

Der Film weist deutliche atheistische Tendenzen auf.

Ein atheistisches Weltbild.

— An atheistic worldview/image of the world.

Wissenschaft ist die Basis für ein atheistisches Weltbild.

Atheistische Überzeugung.

— Atheistic conviction.

Er vertritt seine atheistische Überzeugung mit Stolz.

Frequentemente confundido com

atheistisch vs agnostisch

Agnostics say they don't know if God exists; atheists lack belief in God.

atheistisch vs säkular

Secular refers to the state or public sphere being separate from religion, not personal belief.

atheistisch vs nihilistisch

Nihilism is the belief that life is meaningless; atheism is just the lack of belief in a god.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Gott einen guten Mann sein lassen"

— To let things take their course without worrying; to enjoy life without religious or moral stress.

Heute lassen wir mal Gott einen guten Mann sein und feiern einfach.

informal
"Vom Glauben abfallen"

— To lose faith in something (not necessarily religious); to be extremely surprised.

Als ich die Preise sah, bin ich fast vom Glauben abgefallen!

informal
"Wie der Teufel das Weihwasser scheuen"

— To avoid something at all costs (often used by atheists to describe avoiding religious rituals).

Er scheut die Kirche wie der Teufel das Weihwasser.

informal
"Ein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein"

— To be a blank slate (often used to describe children before religious education).

Kinder sind in Bezug auf Religion oft noch ein unbeschriebenes Blatt.

neutral
"An nichts glauben"

— To believe in nothing (often a simplified way people describe being atheistic).

Manche sagen, er glaubt an nichts, aber er glaubt an die Menschheit.

neutral
"Sein eigener Herr sein"

— To be one's own master (a common sentiment in atheistic humanism).

Er will keinem Gott dienen, er will sein eigener Herr sein.

neutral
"Mit beiden Beinen auf dem Boden stehen"

— To be down-to-earth/realistic (often used to contrast with 'dreamy' religious belief).

Atheisten stehen oft mit beiden Beinen auf dem Boden der Tatsachen.

neutral
"Alles hat seine Zeit"

— Everything has its time (a secular way to view life stages without divine planning).

Er braucht keinen Gott, er weiß: Alles hat seine Zeit.

neutral
"Sich sein eigenes Bild machen"

— To form one's own opinion (central to atheistic independent thinking).

Ich wollte mir mein eigenes Bild von der Welt machen, ohne Dogmen.

neutral
"Das Zepter aus der Hand geben"

— To give up control (something atheists often refuse to do to a deity).

Er will das Zepter seines Lebens nicht aus der Hand geben.

formal

Fácil de confundir

atheistisch vs konfessionslos

Both refer to non-religious people.

Konfessionslos is a legal status (no church membership); atheistisch is a personal belief.

Man kann konfessionslos sein, aber trotzdem an Gott glauben.

atheistisch vs gottlos

Both mean 'without god'.

Gottlos is often an insult or implies immorality; atheistisch is neutral and descriptive.

Er ist atheistisch (neutral) vs. Das ist ein gottloses Verhalten (judgmental).

atheistisch vs unreligiös

Both describe a lack of religion.

Unreligiös is broader and less philosophical; atheistisch specifically targets the existence of a deity.

Er ist unreligiös, er denkt einfach nie über Gott nach.

atheistisch vs weltlich

Both are non-religious.

Weltlich describes things (music, law, power); atheistisch describes beliefs or people.

Die weltliche Macht des Königs vs. Seine atheistische Meinung.

atheistisch vs freidenkerisch

Both involve independent thought regarding religion.

Freidenkerisch refers to a specific intellectual tradition or movement.

Er hat eine freidenkerische Tradition in der Familie.

Padrões de frases

A1

Ich bin [Adjektiv].

Ich bin atheistisch.

A2

Das ist ein [Adjektiv] [Nomen].

Das ist ein atheistisches Buch.

B1

Obwohl er [Adjektiv] ist, [Verb] er...

Obwohl er atheistisch ist, feiert er Ostern.

B1

Er wurde [Adverb] [Adjektiv] erzogen.

Er wurde streng atheistisch erzogen.

B2

Die [Adjektiv] [Nomen] ist [Adjektiv].

Die atheistische Weltanschauung ist verbreitet.

B2

Es gibt [Adjektiv] [Nomen] in [Ort].

Es gibt atheistische Gruppen in Berlin.

C1

Unter Berücksichtigung der [Adjektiv] [Nomen]...

Unter Berücksichtigung der atheistischen Grundhaltung...

C2

Die [Nomen] mündet in einer [Adjektiv] [Nomen].

Die Kritik mündet in einer atheistischen Konsequenz.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Como usar

frequency

Common in media, philosophy, and personal identity discussions.

Erros comuns
  • Ich bin ein atheistisch. Ich bin atheistisch.

    You cannot use 'ein' with an adjective alone; you need a noun or just the adjective by itself.

  • Atheistischth (with English th). Atheistisch (with T sound).

    German 'th' is always pronounced like 't'.

  • Ein atheistisch Buch. Ein atheistisches Buch.

    Adjectives before a neuter noun in the nominative/accusative need the '-es' ending.

  • Confusing 'atheistisch' with 'säkular'. Deutschland ist ein säkularer Staat.

    A state is secular (neutral), while a person or a specific belief is atheistic.

  • Ich bin eine atheistische. Ich bin eine Atheistin.

    If you use 'eine', you must use the noun 'Atheistin', not the adjective.

Dicas

Adjective Endings

Always check the gender of the noun following 'atheistisch' to ensure the correct ending (e, er, es, en).

The 'T' sound

Ignore the 'h' in 'atheistisch'. It is pronounced exactly like a 't'. 'A-te-is-tisch'.

Cognates

Use the similarity to English to remember the meaning, but don't let it trick your pronunciation.

East Germany

Remember that in East Germany, atheism was the norm, so the word is very common there.

Formal Writing

In academic texts, 'atheistisch' is preferred over 'gottlos' for its neutrality.

Suffix Recognition

Train your ear to catch the '-isch' ending to quickly identify adjectives in a sentence.

Identity

When asked about religion, 'Ich bin atheistisch' is a clear and respectful way to answer.

Agnostic vs Atheist

Be precise. If you are unsure about God, use 'agnostisch' instead of 'atheistisch'.

Word Family

Learn 'Atheist' and 'Atheismus' at the same time to build a stronger vocabulary cluster.

Adverbial Use

You can use 'atheistisch' to describe how someone lives: 'Sie lebt atheistisch'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'A' as 'Away' and 'Theist' as 'God-believer'. An 'atheistisch' person has moved 'away' from being a 'theist'.

Associação visual

Imagine a scientist looking at a DNA strand or a galaxy through a telescope, with a crossed-out church in the background.

Word Web

Wissenschaft Logik Vernunft Humanismus Konfessionslos Säkular Nietzsche Freiheit

Desafio

Try to describe three famous historical figures using the word 'atheistisch' in a full German sentence.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Greek word 'atheos' (ἄθεος), meaning 'without god' (a- 'without' + theos 'god'). It entered German via Latin 'atheismus' and French 'athéisme'.

Significado original: Originally used as a pejorative term for those who rejected the established gods of the state.

Indo-European (Greek root)

Contexto cultural

While generally neutral, use 'atheistisch' carefully in highly religious contexts to avoid appearing dismissive of others' faith.

In the US, 'atheistic' can sometimes sound more confrontational than it does in modern Germany.

Friedrich Nietzsche (Gott ist tot) Karl Marx (Religion ist Opium für das Volk) Richard Dawkins (Der Gotteswahn - German translation)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Personal Identity

  • Ich bin atheistisch.
  • Ich bezeichne mich als atheistisch.
  • In meiner Familie sind alle atheistisch.
  • Ich lebe schon immer atheistisch.

Political Debate

  • Eine atheistische Regierung.
  • Das ist eine atheistische Forderung.
  • Atheistische Werte in der Politik.
  • Die Trennung ist nicht zwingend atheistisch.

Historical Discussion

  • Die atheistische Erziehung in der DDR.
  • Ein atheistisches Regime.
  • Die Geschichte des atheistischen Denkens.
  • Atheistische Bewegungen im 19. Jahrhundert.

Philosophy Class

  • Atheistische Existenzphilosophie.
  • Ein atheistisches Weltbild.
  • Die Logik hinter atheistischen Thesen.
  • Atheistische Kritik an der Metaphysik.

Social Gatherings

  • Bist du religiös oder atheistisch?
  • Wir sind ein eher atheistischer Freundeskreis.
  • Atheistische Alternativen zu kirchlichen Festen.
  • Ich finde atheistische Hochzeiten schön.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Findest du es schwierig, in einer religiösen Stadt atheistisch zu leben?"

"Glaubst du, dass Deutschland ein eher atheistisches Land geworden ist?"

"Was ist für dich der größte Vorteil einer atheistischen Weltanschauung?"

"Wurdest du religiös oder atheistisch erzogen?"

"Gibt es in deiner Heimat viele atheistische Organisationen?"

Temas para diário

Beschreibe, wie eine rein atheistische Gesellschaft deiner Meinung nach aussehen würde.

Warum bezeichnen sich manche Menschen als 'konfessionslos' statt 'atheistisch'?

Reflektiere über den Einfluss einer atheistischen Erziehung auf die persönliche Moral.

Wie hat sich der Begriff 'atheistisch' im Laufe der Geschichte verändert?

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der dein atheistischer oder religiöser Standpunkt wichtig war.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, in modern Germany, 'atheistisch' is a neutral, descriptive word. It is a common way to describe one's identity without any negative connotation.

'Atheist' is a noun (a person), while 'atheistisch' is an adjective (describing a person or idea). Use 'Er ist Atheist' or 'Er ist atheistisch'.

It is a soft 'sh' sound, similar to the English word 'fish' but softer, produced by air passing between the tongue and the hard palate.

Yes, but usually only if the government actively promotes atheism (like in the former Soviet Union). For a neutral government, use 'säkular'.

No. If it follows the verb 'sein' (e.g., 'Ich bin atheistisch'), it has no ending. If it comes before a noun (e.g., 'ein atheistischer Mann'), it needs an ending.

Yes, especially in the East and in large cities. Many Germans identify as atheistic or non-religious.

The most common opposite is 'religiös' or 'gläubig'. Philosophically, the opposite is 'theistisch'.

Yes, many atheistic Germans celebrate Christmas as a cultural or family tradition without the religious meaning.

No. Atheism is about belief (not believing), while agnosticism is about knowledge (not knowing).

It is 'atheistische Weltanschauung'.

Teste-se 184 perguntas

writing

Write a simple sentence saying you are atheistic.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence describing an atheistic book.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Explain why someone might be atheistic (use 'weil').

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence using 'atheistisch erzogen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Describe the difference between a secular state and an atheistic state.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write about an atheistic worldview.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Discuss the influence of atheistic philosophy on modern society.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Use the word 'atheistisch' in a sentence about literature.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Are you atheistic?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'He has an atheistic friend.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'Although she is atheistic, she respects the church.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'We live in an atheistic society.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'The atheistic movement is growing.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'His atheistic conviction is very strong.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'The atheistic roots of science are often debated.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Translate: 'She adopts a methodically atheistic stance.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'I am not atheistic.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'An atheistic father.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write: 'Atheistic ideas are interesting.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Ich bin atheistisch.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Bist du atheistisch?'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Das ist eine atheistische Sicht.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Mein Bruder ist atheistisch.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Ich wurde atheistisch erzogen.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Glaubst du an ein atheistisches Weltbild?'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Er vertritt eine atheistische Position.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Die Trennung von Kirche und Staat ist atheistisch.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Die atheistische Existenzphilosophie ist faszinierend.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Nietzsches Thesen waren radikal atheistisch.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Atheistisch.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Atheistische Menschen.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Ein atheistischer Standpunkt.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Wir leben völlig atheistisch.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Atheistische Argumente.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'In einer atheistischen Gesellschaft.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Methodisch atheistische Haltung.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Repeat: 'Atheistische Kritik an der Religion.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Ich nicht.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say: 'Ist sie das?'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Ich bin atheistisch.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Er ist ein atheistischer Mann.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Wir wurden atheistisch erzogen.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Das ist ein atheistisches Weltbild.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Sie vertritt eine atheistische Position.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'In einer atheistischen Gesellschaft leben.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Die atheistische Existenzphilosophie prägte das Denken.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Radikale atheistische Kritik ist oft scharf.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Bist du atheistisch?'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Eine atheistische Sicht.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Obwohl er atheistisch ist.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Atheistische Ideen.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
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listening

Listen and write: 'Ein atheistischer Standpunkt.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Atheistische Argumente.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and write: 'Methodisch atheistische Haltung.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 184 correct

Perfect score!

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