01
das Idol
idol
A person who is greatly admired and revered by others and often serves as a role model.
example
Für viele junge Musikerinnen ist sie ein großes Idol.
For many young female musicians, she is a great idol.
das Idol
idol
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clues
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If the sentence is about admiration, fans, sports, or art, it refers to a person. If it is about religion, history, temples, or worship, it refers to an image of a god.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Fußballspieler ist das Idol einer ganzen Generation.
This soccer player is the idol of an entire generation.
Correct preposition
When a person is a role model for someone else, the preposition 'für' (for) is used. The structure is: Jemand ist ein Idol für jemanden (Someone is an idol for someone).
EXAMPLE
Für meine kleine Schwester ist die Sängerin ein großes Idol.
For my little sister, the singer is a great idol.
Typical collocations
Common combinations are 'ein großes Idol' (a great idol), 'ein musikalisches Idol' (a musical idol), or 'zum Idol werden' (to become an idol). You can also say 'jemanden als Idol verehren' (to revere someone as an idol).
EXAMPLE
Durch seine Filme wurde er schnell zum Idol der Jugend.
Through his films, he quickly became the idol of young people.
Compare with
Idol vs Gott
god
'der Gott' and 'das Idol' can both have to do with worship or admiration. In religion or mythology, a god is a divine being; in a figurative sense, you can also call a person this if they are extremely admired. An idol is usually a greatly admired person, often a role model, for example in sports or music. In religion, 'Idol' can also be an image or object that is worshipped, not necessarily the deity itself. The words can be confused because of the strong admiration involved. In everyday language, 'Idol' sounds more natural for a role model, while 'Gott' as an image for a person feels very strong and often exaggerated.
Idol
Seit seiner Kindheit ist dieser Fußballer sein größtes Idol.
Since his childhood, this footballer has been his greatest idol.
Gott
Für viele Fans war der alte Sänger fast ein Gott.
For many fans, the old singer was almost a god.
In real life
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