dean
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dean
The head of a faculty at a university or college. This person is responsible for the organization and administration of the faculty.
Der Dekan der medizinischen Fakultät eröffnete die Konferenz.
The dean of the medical faculty opened the conference.
The context makes clear which meaning of 'Dekan' (dean) is meant. Words like 'Fakultät' (faculty), 'Universität' (university), or 'Professor' point to the higher education context, while 'Kirche' (church), 'Bischof' (bishop), or 'Pfarrei' (parish) indicate the church meaning.
Der Dekan der juristischen Fakultät hält die Eröffnungsrede.
The dean of the law faculty is giving the opening speech.
The word 'Dekan' (dean) belongs to formal language and is used almost exclusively in the institutional context of universities or the church. It occurs rarely in everyday language.
Für die Genehmigung ist die Unterschrift des Dekans erforderlich.
The dean's signature is required for approval.
In a university setting, a dean is often 'gewählt' (elected) or 'leitet' (heads) a faculty. Typical formulations are 'zum Dekan gewählt werden' (to be elected dean) and 'der Dekan einer Fakultät sein' (to be the dean of a faculty).
Professor Meier wurde für zwei Jahre zum Dekan gewählt.
Professor Meier was elected dean for two years.
In a church context, a dean 'steht' a deanery 'vor' (heads a deanery) or is 'ernannt' (appointed) by a higher authority such as the bishop. A typical action is that the dean 'visitiert' (officially visits) a congregation.
Der Dekan steht dem Kirchenbezirk Nord vor.
The dean heads the northern church district.
pastor
'Pfarrer' and 'Dekan' can both be church officials. A 'Pfarrer' is responsible for a single congregation and takes care of services, pastoral care, and congregational life there. A church 'Dekan' has a higher or overarching role: he heads a deanery, that is, an area with several congregations. The words can be confused because a dean can often be a priest or pastor himself. A practical tip: 'Pfarrer' fits a single congregation, while 'Dekan' fits the leadership of several congregations or a larger church area.
Der Dekan bespricht mit den Pfarrern die Termine für das nächste Jahr.
The dean discusses the dates for next year with the pastors.
Morgen besucht der Pfarrer die alte Frau zu Hause.
Tomorrow the pastor is visiting the elderly woman at home.