01
der Hirte
shepherd
A person who tends, cares for, and guards a herd or flock of livestock, especially sheep.
example
Der Hirte trieb seine Herde am Abend zurück in den Stall.
The shepherd drove his flock back into the stable in the evening.
der Hirte
shepherd
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Hirte' (shepherd) is closely connected with 'die Herde' (flock, herd) and the verb 'hüten' (to guard, to tend). So a 'Hirte' is a person who tends a herd or flock.
EXAMPLE
Es ist die Aufgabe des Hirten, die Herde zu schützen.
It is the shepherd's job to protect the flock.
Register and style
The word 'Hirte' can sound somewhat old-fashioned or poetic in its literal meaning today, unless you are talking directly about agriculture. It is often associated with a traditional, rural life.
EXAMPLE
In den Bergen kann man manchmal noch einen Hirten mit seinen Schafen sehen.
In the mountains, you can sometimes still see a shepherd with his sheep.
Typical collocation
In its literal meaning, a 'Hirte' is almost always connected with sheep. The combination 'der Hirte und seine Schafe' (the shepherd and his sheep) is a very fixed collocation.
EXAMPLE
Der Hirte kennt jedes seiner Schafe.
The shepherd knows each of his sheep.
Context clue
The figurative meaning is almost exclusively religious. Words like 'Kirche' (church), 'Gemeinde' (congregation), 'Gläubige' (believers), or titles like 'Pastor' and 'Priester' signal that a spiritual leader is meant. The phrase 'der gute Hirte' (the good shepherd) is a well-known metaphor for Jesus Christ.
EXAMPLE
Ein Priester sollte ein guter Hirte für seine Gemeinde sein.
A priest should be a good shepherd for his congregation.
Compare with
Hirte vs Pfarrer
pastor
'Pfarrer' and 'Hirte' can both refer, in a religious sense, to a person who cares for believers. 'Pfarrer' is the normal concrete job and office title for someone who leads a Christian congregation. 'Hirte' is more figurative or religious in this context: the congregation is understood like a flock, and the spiritual leader cares for it. Learners may confuse the words because a pastor is sometimes described as a 'Hirte' (shepherd). In everyday language, however, people usually say 'Pfarrer'. 'Hirte' sounds more solemn, biblical, or figurative.
Hirte
In der Predigt beschreibt der Bischof den Priester als Hirten seiner Gemeinde.
In the sermon, the bishop describes the priest as the shepherd of his congregation.
Pfarrer
Für die Taufe vereinbaren die Eltern einen Termin mit dem Pfarrer.
For the baptism, the parents make an appointment with the pastor.
In real life
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