01
der Fluch
curse
A spoken magical or divine spell intended to bring misfortune to a person, place, or object.
example
Der Legende nach liegt ein Fluch auf dem alten Schloss.
According to legend, a curse lies on the old castle.
der Fluch
curse
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Fluch' (the curse) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'fluchen' (to curse/swear). While 'fluchen' describes the act of swearing, 'der Fluch' (the curse) is the result—either the swear word itself or a magical spell.
EXAMPLE
Er konnte nicht aufhören zu fluchen, nachdem er den Fluch des Pharaos gelesen hatte.
He couldn't stop swearing after reading about the curse of the pharaoh.
Typical verbs
In the context of magic, a curse is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'jemanden mit einem Fluch belegen' (to put a curse on someone), and you can try to 'einen Fluch brechen' (to break a curse) or 'aufheben' (to lift it).
EXAMPLE
Die Hexe belegte den Prinzen mit einem schrecklichen Fluch.
The witch put a terrible curse on the prince.
Fixed preposition
When a curse weighs on a person or place, the preposition 'auf' (on) is used with the dative. The fixed expression is: 'Ein Fluch liegt auf jemandem/etwas' (a curse lies on someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Seit Generationen liegt ein Fluch auf dieser Familie.
For generations, a curse has lain on this family.
Typical combinations
When 'Fluch' (curse) means a swear word, it is often 'ausgestoßen' (uttered) or quietly 'gemurmelt' (muttered). The context is usually a spontaneous reaction to pain, anger, or frustration.
EXAMPLE
Als er den Hammer auf seinen Daumen fallen ließ, stieß er einen lauten Fluch aus.
When he dropped the hammer on his thumb, he let out a loud curse.
Figurative meaning
This meaning is often used metaphorically in sports or for recurring bad luck. People speak of the 'Fluch des zweiten Platzes' (curse of second place) when a team always fails just before victory.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft hofft, dieses Jahr endlich den Fluch des Pokalfinales zu besiegen.
The team hopes to finally defeat the curse of the cup final this year.
Compare with
Fluch vs Pech
bad luck / pitch
'das Pech' and 'der Fluch' can both have to do with repeated bad luck. 'Pech' is the normal everyday word when something happens to go badly by chance. 'Fluch' sounds much stronger and more dramatic. You use it when the bad luck feels like fate or simply will not stop. In normal situations, you are more likely to say 'Pech'. 'Fluch' fits when you want to express, in an exaggerated or figurative way, that things keep going wrong again and again.
Fluch
Für die Mannschaft fühlt sich jede Niederlage schon wie ein Fluch an.
For the team, every defeat already feels like a curse.
Pech
Auf der Reise hatten wir Pech, weil unser Zug zweimal ausfiel.
We had bad luck on the trip because our train was canceled twice.
In real life
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