die Ehre
honor
The standing, good reputation, and respect that a person enjoys in society.
EXAMPLE
Für ihn war es eine Frage der Ehre, sein Versprechen zu halten.
For him, it was a matter of honor to keep his promise.
die Ehre
honor
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Meanings
die Ehre
honor
A special distinction or privilege that is felt to be appreciative and pleasing.
EXAMPLE
Es ist mir eine große Ehre, heute vor Ihnen sprechen zu dürfen.
It is a great honor for me to be allowed to speak before you today.
zu Ehren von
in honor of
As an expression of high respect or in memory of a person or event.
EXAMPLE
Die Stadt veranstaltete ein Fest zu Ehren der erfolgreichen Sportler.
The city held a celebration in honor of the successful athletes.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Ehre' (honor) belongs to a word family with the verb 'ehren' (to honor / show someone respect) and the adjective 'ehrlich' (honest / sincere). This helps you understand the core meaning of standing and respect.
EXAMPLE
Wir ehren unsere Großeltern für ihre Lebenserfahrung.
We honor our grandparents for their life experience.
Polite formula
The expression 'Es ist mir eine (große) Ehre' (It is a great honor for me) is a very common, polite phrase. You use it to express that you feel especially honored by a task or invitation.
EXAMPLE
Es ist mir eine Ehre, Ihr Nachfolger zu sein.
It is an honor for me to be your successor.
Fixed expression with dative
The expression 'zu Ehren von' (in honor of) is a fixed expression that is always used with the preposition 'von' and the dative. It expresses that something is held for a particular person or event.
EXAMPLE
Die Feier wurde zu Ehren des Firmengründers abgehalten.
The celebration was held in honor of the company founder.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'guter Ruf' (good reputation), 'Ehre' is often used in fixed combinations, for example 'seine Ehre verteidigen' (to defend one's honor), 'die Ehre von jemandem verletzen' (to offend someone's honor), or 'es ist eine Frage der Ehre' (it is a matter of honor).
EXAMPLE
Für den Ritter war es eine Frage der Ehre, sein Wort zu halten.
For the knight, it was a matter of honor to keep his word.
Compare with
Ehre vs ansehen
to look at / to watch
Ansehen and Ehre can express the respect and good reputation a person has in society. Ansehen refers more to their general social esteem, while Ehre emphasizes this respect more strongly as special recognition. Use Ansehen for ordinary public regard and Ehre for emphatic recognition.
Ehre
Für ihren langjährigen Einsatz wurde ihr die Ehre einer besonderen Auszeichnung zuteil.
For her many years of service, she was honored with a special award.
ansehen
Die engagierte Lehrerin genießt im Stadtteil großes Ansehen.
The dedicated teacher is highly respected in the neighborhood.
In real life
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