double life
das Doppelleben, die Doppelleben
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double life
A way of living in which someone leads two largely separate lives or maintains two identities, often without the people involved knowing about one another.
Nach außen war er ein angesehener Familienvater, doch heimlich führte er ein Doppelleben.
Outwardly, he was a respected family man, but he secretly led a double life.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Doppelleben |
| genitive | des Doppellebens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Doppelleben | die Doppelleben |
| accusative | das Doppelleben | die Doppelleben |
| dative | dem Doppelleben | den Doppelleben |
| genitive | des Doppellebens | der Doppelleben |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Doppelleben' (double life) is made up of 'Doppel-' (double) and 'Leben' (life). The word emphasizes that a person divides their life into two separate spheres.
Sein Doppelleben blieb jahrelang unentdeckt.
His double life went undetected for years.
'Doppelleben' (double life) often appears with verbs such as 'führen' (to lead), 'verheimlichen' (to conceal), 'entdecken' (to discover), or 'aufdecken' (to expose). The phrase 'ein geheimes Doppelleben' (a secret double life) is also very common.
Die Journalistin deckte das geheime Doppelleben des Politikers auf.
The journalist exposed the politician's secret double life.
The surrounding context often includes words expressing secrecy, deception, or two different social roles. This makes it clear that 'Doppelleben' (double life) usually refers to a deliberate separation between different areas of someone's life.
Tagsüber arbeitete sie in einer Bank, abends trat sie unter einem anderen Namen auf und führte ein Doppelleben.
By day, she worked at a bank; in the evenings, she performed under a different name and led a double life.
