confession
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confession
In the Catholic and Orthodox Church, the sacrament in which a believer confesses their sins to a priest in order to obtain forgiveness.
Der Priester nahm den Gläubigen die Beichte ab.
The priest heard the believers' confessions.
'Die Beichte' (confession) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'beichten' (to confess). When someone confesses, they 'legt eine Beichte ab' (make a confession).
Er wollte seine Fehler beichten.
He wanted to confess his mistakes.
You can recognize the religious meaning from words such as 'Kirche' (church), 'Priester' (priest), or 'Sünden' (sins). The figurative meaning refers to everyday or public admissions of mistakes.
Er ging in die Kirche, um die Beichte abzulegen.
He went to church to make his confession.
In the religious context, there are fixed verb combinations: a person 'legt die Beichte ab' (makes a confession) or 'geht zur Beichte' (goes to confession). The priest 'nimmt die Beichte ab' (hears the confession).
Viele Gläubige gehen vor Ostern zur Beichte.
Many believers go to confession before Easter.
In the figurative meaning too, the fixed expression 'eine Beichte ablegen' (to make a confession) is usually used. This emphasizes the serious or official character of an admission.
Der Angeklagte legte vor Gericht eine umfassende Beichte ab.
The defendant made a comprehensive confession in court.
declaration / confession
'Bekenntnis' and 'Beichte' can both mean that someone openly admits something. 'Beichte' fits especially with religion: a person tells a priest their sins. In everyday language, 'Beichte' can also be used jokingly or figuratively for an open confession. 'Bekenntnis' is broader: it can express guilt, but also a faith or a conviction. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with admitting something. When it is about church and sins, 'Beichte' is more precise. When it is about a public declaration or a general admission, 'Bekenntnis' fits better.
Vor Ostern ging Maria zur Beichte in die Kirche.
Before Easter, Maria went to confession at the church.
Nach langem Schweigen machte der Täter ein Bekenntnis.
After a long silence, the perpetrator made a confession.