die Beschwörung
conjuration
A magical act intended to summon or influence spirits or supernatural forces.
EXAMPLE
Der Zauberer begann mit der Beschwörung eines Geistes.
The wizard began the conjuration of a spirit.
die Beschwörung
conjuration / appeal / evocation
die Beschwörung, die Beschwörungen
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Meanings
die Beschwörung
appeal
An insistent, urgent request or demand intended to persuade another person to do something.
EXAMPLE
Trotz ihrer flehentlichen Beschwörungen weigerte er sich, einen Arzt zu rufen.
Despite her desperate appeals, he refused to call a doctor.
die Beschwörung
evocation
The forceful evoking or keeping alive of memories, images, or feelings through words or pictures.
EXAMPLE
Der Roman ist eine wehmütige Beschwörung der verlorenen Kindheit.
The novel is a wistful evocation of lost childhood.
die Beschwörung
incantation
A fixed sequence of words believed to have a magical effect; a magic formula.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem alten Pergament stand eine Beschwörung, die vor bösen Geistern schützen sollte.
The old parchment contained an incantation that was supposed to protect against evil spirits.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Beschwörung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Beschwörungen |
| genitive | der Beschwörung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Beschwörung | die Beschwörungen |
| accusative | die Beschwörung | die Beschwörungen |
| dative | der Beschwörung | den Beschwörungen |
| genitive | der Beschwörung | der Beschwörungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
For the magical act, 'eine Beschwörung durchführen' (to perform a conjuration) and 'eine Beschwörung vollziehen' (to carry out a conjuration) are typical collocations. Use 'bei einer Beschwörung' (during a conjuration) to describe what happens during the ritual.
EXAMPLE
Bei einer Beschwörung im Wald bildeten die Magier einen Kreis um das Feuer.
During a conjuration in the forest, the magicians formed a circle around the fire.
Fixed usage pattern
The phrase 'trotz aller Beschwörungen' (despite all the appeals) expresses that the urgent requests are unsuccessful. After 'trotz' (despite), the genitive is used here; an indication of who is making the appeals often follows.
EXAMPLE
Trotz aller Beschwörungen seiner Familie brach er die Behandlung ab.
Despite all his family's appeals, he stopped the treatment.
Literary style
This usage is elevated and especially typical of literary reviews and texts about art and culture. Common collocations include 'nostalgische Beschwörung' (nostalgic evocation) and 'poetische Beschwörung' (poetic evocation).
EXAMPLE
Die Kritikerin lobte den Film als poetische Beschwörung einer vergangenen Welt.
The critic praised the film as a poetic evocation of a bygone world.
Typical collocations
When the magical words themselves are meant, verbs such as 'aufsagen' (to recite), 'murmeln' (to murmur), or 'rezitieren' (to recite) can be used with 'Beschwörung'. They also show how the words are spoken.
EXAMPLE
Die Hexe murmelte eine Beschwörung, während sie die Tür mit einem Zeichen versah.
The witch murmured an incantation while marking the door with a symbol.
In real life
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