affair / amour
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affair
A love relationship or affair, often with a sense of secrecy, passion, or unconventionality. The word is borrowed from French and often sounds literary or elevated.
Der historische Roman handelt von der heimlichen Amour zwischen der Königin und ihrem Leibwächter.
The historical novel is about the secret affair between the queen and her bodyguard.
'Amour' (affair, amour) is a loanword from French. Its use signals an elevated, literary, or sometimes slightly ironic style.
Der alte Graf erzählte gern von den Amouren seiner Jugendzeit in Paris.
The old count liked to talk about the affairs of his youth in Paris.
In the meaning of 'Liebschaft' (affair), the word is often combined with adjectives such as 'heimlich' (secret), 'stürmisch' (passionate/turbulent), or 'unglücklich' (unhappy).
Der Roman beschreibt eine unglückliche Amour mit tragischem Ende.
The novel describes an unhappy affair with a tragic ending.
The combination 'Amour fou' (amour fou) is a fixed expression. It is used as a single unit to describe an obsessive and often self-destructive love.
Die Beziehung der beiden Künstler war eine klassische Amour fou.
The relationship between the two artists was a classic amour fou.
love
'die Liebe' and 'die Amour' both have to do with strong feelings and romantic relationships. 'die Liebe' is the normal, neutral word for a deep feeling toward a person. It fits in almost all situations. 'die Amour' is not an everyday standard word. It sounds French, literary, or elevated, and refers more to an affair or a special love story, often with passion or something secret about it. In the fixed expression 'Amour fou', it is about a very strong, irrational love. Learners may confuse the words because both relate to love. In normal conversation, people almost always say 'die Liebe'; 'die Amour' feels special and stylistically marked.
In dem alten Roman beginnt eine geheime Amour zwischen zwei Nachbarn.
In the old novel, a secret affair begins between two neighbors.
Die Liebe zu seiner Familie gibt Herrn Becker viel Kraft.
The love for his family gives Mr. Becker a lot of strength.