hypocrisy
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hypocrisy
Behavior in which someone pretends to have moral values or feelings that they do not actually possess or act according to.
Es ist pure Heuchelei, Wasser zu predigen und Wein zu trinken.
It is pure hypocrisy to preach water and drink wine.
'Heuchelei' (hypocrisy) belongs to a word family with the verb 'heucheln' (to pretend feelings or virtues) and the adjective 'heuchlerisch' (hypocritical). All three words describe dishonest, pretended behavior.
Er heuchelt Interesse, aber in Wirklichkeit ist es ihm egal.
He pretends to be interested, but in reality he doesn't care.
The ending '-ei' is often used in German to form nouns that describe an activity seen as negative or pejorative. It gives the word a critical or reproachful tone.
Seine ständigen Ausreden sind doch eine einzige Angeberei.
His constant excuses are just pure showing off.
The word is often intensified with adjectives such as 'rein' (sheer) or 'pur' (pure) to emphasize the falseness. A typical phrase is: 'Das ist doch die reinste Heuchelei!' (That is sheer hypocrisy!).
Seine Sorge um die Umwelt ist pure Heuchelei, denn er fliegt ständig.
His concern for the environment is pure hypocrisy, since he flies all the time.
double standard
Hypocrisy is present when someone displays values or feelings that they themselves do not act according to. Doppelmoral (double standards) more specifically refers to applying different standards to one’s own behavior and the behavior of others. Someone who merely appears honest to others is being hypocritical; someone who judges their own lies differently uses a Doppelmoral.
Sein ständiges Lob der Ehrlichkeit ist Heuchelei, weil er selbst häufig lügt.
His constant praise of honesty is hypocrisy because he often lies himself.
Seine Nachsicht mit eigenen Lügen und seine harte Kritik an fremden Lügen sind Doppelmoral.
His leniency toward his own lies and his harsh criticism of other people’s lies are a double standard.
