clergyman
Loading your saved state.
clergyman
A male person who holds a church office and is ordained for religious acts, for example a priest, pastor, or bishop.
Der Geistliche besuchte die kranke Frau im Krankenhaus, um ihr Trost zu spenden.
The clergyman visited the sick woman in the hospital to comfort her.
The word is a substantivized adjective. It comes from the adjective 'geistlich' (spiritual, ecclesiastical), which is derived from 'der Geist' (the spirit). So a 'Geistlicher' (clergyman) is literally 'a spiritual person.'
Ein hoher Geistlicher hielt die Predigt.
A high-ranking clergyman gave the sermon.
Since 'Geistlicher' (clergyman) is a substantivized adjective, it is declined like one. Its ending changes depending on case and article, for example 'der Geistliche' (the clergyman), but 'ein Geistlicher' (a clergyman) or 'mit dem Geistlichen' (with the clergyman).
Wir sprachen mit einem Geistlichen über die Geschichte der Kirche.
We spoke with a clergyman about the history of the church.
'Geistlicher' (clergyman) is a formal umbrella term for people in a church office in Christianity. It can refer to a priest, pastor, bishop, or other officeholder.
Zur Zeremonie waren mehrere Geistliche verschiedener Konfessionen eingeladen.
Several clergymen from different denominations were invited to the ceremony.
minister
'der Minister' and 'der Geistliche' can both mean a religious person with a church office. However, this meaning of 'Minister' is historical or occurs only in some Protestant free churches. In everyday language today, 'der Minister' usually means a member of the government. 'der Geistliche', by contrast, is the normal word when speaking generally about a priest, pastor, or similar church figure. If it is not explicitly about this special church-related usage, 'Geistlicher' is clearer for religion.
Nach der Beerdigung sprach die Familie noch kurz mit dem Geistlichen.
After the funeral, the family spoke briefly with the clergyman.
In dieser Freikirche hält der Minister am Sonntag die Predigt.
In this free church, the minister gives the sermon on Sunday.