hermit
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hermit
A person who withdraws from society for personal or religious reasons and lives in seclusion in a remote place; a recluse.
Der alte Einsiedler lebte allein in einer kleinen Hütte tief im Wald.
The old hermit lived alone in a small hut deep in the forest.
recluse
Colloquially, a person who lives very withdrawn from others, has little social contact, and spends most of their time alone.
Seit er im Homeoffice arbeitet, ist er ein richtiger Einsiedler geworden.
Since he started working from home, he has become a real recluse.
The word is derived from 'ein' (alone) and 'siedeln' (to live, settle). An 'Einsiedler' (hermit) is therefore literally a person who settles or lives alone.
Er entschied sich, als Einsiedler in den Bergen zu leben.
He decided to live as a hermit in the mountains.
Common verbs used with 'Einsiedler' (hermit) are 'als Einsiedler leben' (to live as a hermit) or 'zum Einsiedler werden' (to become a hermit), to describe the state or the change.
Mein Onkel ist nach seiner Pensionierung ein echter Einsiedler geworden.
After his retirement, my uncle became a real hermit.
The literal meaning (m01) often refers to a religious or spiritual context in the seclusion of nature. The figurative, colloquial meaning (m02) simply describes a person with little social contact in everyday life.
Er verlässt kaum das Haus und trifft keine Freunde – er lebt wie ein Einsiedler.
He hardly ever leaves the house and doesn't meet friends — he lives like a hermit.
loner
An Einzelgänger (loner) likes being alone and does little with other people, but can still live in the middle of society. An Einsiedler (hermit) lives in much greater seclusion, often in a remote place. The key question is whether the meaning concerns only a social preference or complete isolation.
Er hat sich in eine abgelegene Hütte zurückgezogen und lebt dort als Einsiedler.
He withdrew to a remote cabin and lives there as a hermit.
Obwohl er mitten in der Stadt lebt, ist er ein Einzelgänger und verbringt seine Freizeit meist allein.
Although he lives in the middle of the city, he is a loner and usually spends his free time alone.
