witchcraft
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witchcraft
The practice of magic or sorcery traditionally attributed to witches. The term often has a negative connotation and is associated with supernatural powers and rituals.
Im Mittelalter wurden viele unschuldige Frauen der Hexerei beschuldigt.
In the Middle Ages, many innocent women were accused of witchcraft.
rocket science
Colloquial and often ironic for a skill or task that seems complicated or difficult to master. The phrase 'keine Hexerei sein' (not be witchcraft) is usually used to express that something is simpler than it looks.
Ein gutes Risotto zu kochen, ist eigentlich keine Hexerei.
Cooking a good risotto isn't actually rocket science.
The word consists of 'Hexe' (witch) and the ending '-erei'. The ending '-erei' often denotes an activity and, as here, can have a negative or pejorative connotation.
Früher glaubten die Menschen, dass schlechtes Wetter durch Hexerei verursacht wurde.
In the past, people believed that bad weather was caused by witchcraft.
The colloquial meaning is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'Das ist keine Hexerei' (That's not witchcraft / That's not rocket science). It expresses that something is much easier than it initially seems.
Du musst nur den Anweisungen folgen, das ist wirklich keine Hexerei.
You just have to follow the instructions; it's really not rocket science.
The expression 'keine Hexerei sein' (to not be witchcraft / to not be rocket science) clearly belongs to colloquial speech. It is used to reassure or encourage someone to tackle a task.
Ein Fahrradreifen zu wechseln ist keine Hexerei, ich zeige dir, wie es geht.
Changing a bicycle tire isn't rocket science; I'll show you how to do it.
magic
“Zauberei” and “Hexerei” refer to the use of supernatural powers. “Zauberei” is the more general term for magic. “Hexerei” explicitly connects this magic with witches and rituals and often sounds more negative. For magic without this connection, “Zauberei” is therefore more appropriate.
Im Märchen öffnet die gefürchtete Hexe das verschlossene Tor durch Hexerei.
In the fairy tale, the feared witch opens the locked gate through witchcraft.
Im Märchen öffnet der Weise das verschlossene Tor durch Zauberei.
In the fairy tale, the wise man opens the locked gate through magic.
