abbey
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abbey
A monastery or convent led by an abbot or abbess. The term refers both to the community of monks or nuns and to the group of buildings.
Die mittelalterliche Abtei kann heute besichtigt werden.
The medieval abbey can be visited today.
The word 'Abtei' (abbey) is closely related to 'der Abt' (male head of a monastery, abbot) and 'die Äbtissin' (female head of a convent, abbess). The ending '-ei' often denotes a place connected with the activity or person from the word stem, as in 'Bäckerei' (bakery).
Der Abt ist für die Leitung der Abtei verantwortlich.
The abbot is responsible for running the abbey.
In connection with 'Abtei' (abbey), verbs are often used that relate to history, religion, or tourism. Typical phrases are 'eine Abtei gründen' (to found an abbey), 'eine Abtei besichtigen' (to visit/tour an abbey), or 'in einer Abtei leben' (to live in an abbey).
Im Urlaub haben wir eine sehr alte Abtei in den Bergen besichtigt.
On vacation, we visited a very old abbey in the mountains.
Pay attention to the difference with the preposition 'in': 'in die Abtei gehen' (to go into/to the abbey, accusative) describes movement there, while 'in der Abtei sein' (to be in the abbey, dative) describes staying at that place.
Die Mönche beten in der Abtei.
The monks pray in the abbey.
monastery
Kloster and Abtei can both refer to a religious building and the community living there. Abtei, however, is the more specific term for a monastery led by an abbot or abbess. Use Kloster in general and Abtei when this leadership is part of the meaning.
Wir besuchten die alte Abtei, die von einer Äbtissin geleitet wird.
We visited the old abbey, which is led by an abbess.
Wir besuchten das alte Kloster am Rand des Dorfes.
We visited the old monastery on the edge of the village.
