drama
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drama
An upsetting, emotional, or tragic event in real life. Often used colloquially for an exaggerated reaction.
Mach doch nicht wegen einer kleinen Meinungsverschiedenheit so ein Drama!
Don't make such a drama out of a small disagreement!
drama
A genre of literature written to be performed on a stage; a play.
In der Schule haben wir als Lektüre ein Drama von Friedrich Schiller analysiert.
At school, we analyzed a drama by Friedrich Schiller as our reading assignment.
The meaning of 'Drama' depends heavily on the context. If people are talking about literature, theater, or school, it means the literary genre. In everyday life, it usually describes an emotionally upsetting event.
Die Trennung meiner Freunde war ein einziges Drama.
My friends' breakup was nothing but drama.
The expression 'ein Drama aus etwas machen' (to make a drama out of something) is very common and means to react to a small matter in an exaggeratedly emotional way. It is often phrased as a reproach or request.
Du hast nur den Bus verpasst, mach doch kein Drama daraus!
You only missed the bus; don't make a drama out of it!
The use of 'Drama' for an event in everyday life is often colloquial. It can describe a real tragedy (e.g., 'Familiendrama' (family tragedy)), but it is also often used for exaggerated reactions.
Sein Computerabsturz vor der Präsentation war ein echtes Drama.
His computer crash before the presentation was a real drama.
In a literary context, 'Drama' is often used with verbs such as 'lesen' (to read), 'schreiben' (to write), 'analysieren' (to analyze), or 'aufführen' (to perform). The combination 'klassisches Drama' (classical drama) is also very common.
Die Theatergruppe wird nächstes Jahr ein modernes Drama aufführen.
The theater group will perform a modern drama next year.
tragedy
A Drama is a work written for the stage and does not have to end unhappily. A Tragödie is a particular form of Drama with a serious conflict and typically an unhappy or catastrophic ending. For a clearly tragic play, Tragödie is therefore more precise.
Das Drama über den Familienkonflikt endet mit einer Versöhnung.
The drama about the family conflict ends with a reconciliation.
Die Tragödie über den Familienkonflikt endet mit dem Tod der Hauptfigur.
The tragedy about the family conflict ends with the death of the main character.
