glorious
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glorious
Showing great fame and honor; famous and successful. Often used for historical victories, eras, or careers.
Die Mannschaft feierte ihren glorreichen Sieg in der Meisterschaft.
The team celebrated its glorious victory in the championship.
The word is made up of 'Glorie' (glory, honor) and the ending '-reich' (rich in). So it literally means 'rich in glory.'
Die Ritter träumten von einer glorreichen Zukunft.
The knights dreamed of a glorious future.
You often recognize the ironic meaning in combination with words like 'Idee' (idea), 'Plan' (plan), or 'Vorschlag' (suggestion). The tone or context makes it clear that the idea is actually bad.
Und wer hatte die glorreiche Idee, den Schlüssel von innen stecken zu lassen?
And who had the brilliant idea of leaving the key in the lock from the inside?
In its serious meaning, 'glorreich' (glorious) is often used for historical or very significant things. Typical combinations are 'eine glorreiche Vergangenheit' (a glorious past), 'glorreiche Zeiten' (glorious times), or 'ein glorreicher Moment' (a glorious moment).
Das war der glorreiche Abschluss seiner langen Karriere.
That was the glorious conclusion to his long career.
In everyday language, 'glorreich' (glorious) can sound a bit exaggerated or old-fashioned. It is mainly used in written language or when describing very important, positive events.
Der Redner sprach von den glorreichen Taten der Firmengründer.
The speaker talked about the glorious deeds of the company founders.
successful
'erfolgreich' and 'glorreich' can both say something positive about a success. 'erfolgreich' is neutral and fits in many situations, for example at work, school, in sports, or with plans. 'glorreich' is much stronger: it connects success with fame and honor. It is used more for great victories, historical events, or impressive careers. Learners may confuse the words because both sound positive. In everyday language, however, 'erfolgreich' is usually right; 'glorreich' can quickly sound too grand or solemn.
Der Verein erinnert sich noch heute an seinen glorreichen Sieg im Finale.
The club still remembers its glorious victory in the final today.
Ich habe das Projekt erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
I successfully completed the project.