das Gebet
prayer
The act of praying; words of thanks, request, or worship addressed to a deity.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Einschlafen sprach sie immer ein kurzes Gebet.
Before falling asleep, she always said a short prayer.
das Gebet
prayer
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Meanings
das Gebet
prayer
The formulated text of a prayer.
EXAMPLE
Das Vaterunser ist das bekannteste Gebet des Christentums.
The Lord's Prayer is the best-known prayer in Christianity.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'das Gebet' (prayer) is closely related to the verb 'beten' (to pray). Here, the prefix 'Ge-' turns the act of praying into a noun that describes the action itself or its formulated text.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen finden Trost im Gebet.
Many people find comfort in prayer.
Typical verbs
When the act of praying is meant, the fixed expression 'ein Gebet sprechen' (to say a prayer) is used very frequently. You can also say that someone is 'im Gebet versunken' (absorbed in prayer).
EXAMPLE
Er zog sich zurück, um ein stilles Gebet zu sprechen.
He withdrew in order to say a silent prayer.
Context: the text
When the formulated text of a prayer is the focus, verbs like 'aufsagen' (to recite), 'lernen' (to learn), or 'lesen' (to read) are often used. In this case, the prayer is something that can be treated like a text.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder mussten für den Gottesdienst ein langes Gebet lernen.
The children had to learn a long prayer for the church service.
Compare with
Gebet vs Segen
blessing
Segen and Gebet can both consist of religious words. A Gebet is addressed to God with thanks, a request, or worship. A Segen, by contrast, ritually grants a person God's protection or favor.
Gebet
Der Priester sprach ein Gebet und bat Gott um Schutz für die Reisenden.
The priest said a prayer and asked God to protect the travelers.
Segen
Der Priester gab den Reisenden den Segen für ihre Fahrt.
The priest gave the travelers his blessing for their journey.
In real life
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