purgatory
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purgatory
In Catholic doctrine, a place or state of purification in which the souls of the deceased are cleansed of their sins before entering heaven.
Nach dem Glauben mancher Christen müssen die Seelen eine Zeit im Fegefeuer verbringen.
According to the belief of some Christians, souls must spend time in purgatory.
'Fegefeuer' (purgatory) is a compound word made from the verb 'fegen' (to sweep, to clean) and the noun 'Feuer' (fire). So it literally describes a 'cleansing fire', which illustrates the idea of purification from sins.
Die Vorstellung eines reinigenden Feuers ist die Grundlage dieses Konzepts.
The idea of a cleansing fire is the basis of this concept.
In the figurative sense, 'Fegefeuer' (purgatory) describes a time of extreme emotional torment or a severe trial. Typical phrases are 'durch ein Fegefeuer gehen' (to go through purgatory) or describing something as 'ein wahres Fegefeuer' (true purgatory).
Die monatelange Prüfungsvorbereitung war für ihn ein wahres Fegefeuer.
The months of exam preparation were true purgatory for him.
You can recognize the original, religious meaning from the context of faith, soul, death, and sin. The figurative meaning refers to intense personal crises, trials, or phases of uncertainty in life.
In seinem Tagebuch beschrieb er die Zeit nach der Trennung als sein persönliches Fegefeuer.
In his diary, he described the time after the breakup as his personal purgatory.
hell
'die Hölle' and 'das Fegefeuer' both belong to religious ideas and can also be used figuratively for great suffering. But they do not mean the same thing. 'die Hölle' is the place of punishment and extreme suffering. In Catholic doctrine, 'das Fegefeuer' is a state of purification before heaven. Figuratively, 'Fegefeuer' often sounds like a difficult trial that you have to go through. The words can be confused because both are connected with torment. When it is about final punishment or an extremely bad situation, 'Hölle' is suitable; when it is about purification, a trial, or moral cleansing, 'Fegefeuer' is suitable.
Die langen Fragen im Bewerbungsgespräch fühlten sich für Paul wie ein Fegefeuer an.
The long questions in the job interview felt like purgatory for Paul.
Für meine Schwester ist die laute Baustelle vor dem Haus jeden Morgen die Hölle.
For my sister, the loud construction site in front of the house is hell every morning.