affair
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affair
A secret romantic relationship or sexual relationship, often outside a committed partnership or marriage. The modern spelling is 'Affäre'.
Der Politiker musste wegen einer Affaire mit seiner Praktikantin zurücktreten.
The politician had to resign because of an affair with his intern.
scandal / affair
An unpleasant or scandalous matter that attracts public attention.
Die Abhör-Affaire hat das Vertrauen in die Sicherheitsdienste erschüttert.
The wiretapping scandal shook trust in the security services.
matter / affair
(dated) A matter, incident, or business transaction in a general sense.
Das war eine langwierige Affaire, aber am Ende haben wir uns geeinigt.
That was a drawn-out affair, but in the end we reached an agreement.
The spelling 'Affaire' is outdated. In modern German, the Germanized form 'Affäre' is used almost exclusively.
Die Zeitung berichtete über die politische Affäre.
The newspaper reported on the political scandal.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about a personal relationship, often with the preposition 'mit' (with), it means a romantic relationship. If the word refers to public topics such as politics or business, it means a scandal.
Er hatte eine heimliche Affäre mit einer Kollegin.
He had a secret affair with a colleague.
In connection with a romantic relationship, the word is often combined with verbs such as 'haben' (to have), 'anfangen' (to start), or 'beenden' (to end).
Sie hat die Affäre beendet, als ihr Mann davon erfuhr.
She ended the affair when her husband found out about it.
In the meaning 'Skandal' (scandal), 'Affäre' is often used as the second part of a compound to name the scandal, e.g. 'Spionage-Affäre' (espionage scandal) or 'Daten-Affäre' (data scandal).
Die Spenden-Affäre führte zu mehreren Rücktritten in der Partei.
The donations scandal led to several resignations within the party.
The general meaning 'Angelegenheit' (matter) or 'Geschäft' (business transaction) is hardly used today. It is found almost only in older texts.
In dem alten Roman war von einer „komplizierten geschäftlichen Affäre“ die Rede.
In the old novel, there was talk of a 'complicated business affair'.
relationship / connection
Beziehung usually refers to a regular and often committed romantic relationship. Affaire means a secret romantic or sexual relationship, often outside an existing partnership. Beziehung is appropriate for an openly conducted partnership; secrecy and a possible affair point to Affaire.
Laura verheimlicht ihre Affaire mit einem verheirateten Kollegen.
Laura is keeping her affair with a married colleague secret.
Laura spricht offen über ihre feste Beziehung mit einem Kollegen.
Laura speaks openly about her committed relationship with a colleague.
