die Kirche
church
A building in which Christians hold their worship services.
EXAMPLE
Sonntags gehen viele Leute in die Kirche.
On Sundays, many people go to church.
die Kirche
church
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Meanings
die Kirche
church
The community or organization of Christians, for example the Catholic or Protestant Church as an institution.
EXAMPLE
Die Trennung von Staat und Kirche ist im Grundgesetz verankert.
The separation of church and state is enshrined in the Basic Law.
die Kirche im Dorf lassen
to not exaggerate
An idiom meaning that one should not exaggerate and should stick to the facts.
EXAMPLE
Ein kleiner Kratzer am Auto ist kein Weltuntergang, jetzt lass mal die Kirche im Dorf!
A small scratch on the car isn't the end of the world, now let's not exaggerate!
Usage tips
Context clue
The context tells you whether the building or the institution is meant. If it is about a place, worship services, or architecture, the building is meant. If it is about faith, organization, or social issues, the institution is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Kirche im Stadtzentrum wird gerade renoviert.
The old church in the city center is currently being renovated.
Correct preposition
For the building, the prepositions are important: you go 'in die Kirche' (to church; movement, accusative) and are 'in der Kirche' (in the church; location, dative). 'Zur Kirche gehen' can also mean to attend a worship service.
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag gehen wir in die Kirche.
On Sunday we are going to church.
Typical collocations
When the institution is meant, typical verbs are 'in die Kirche eintreten' (to join the church) or 'aus der Kirche austreten' (to leave the church). It is often also specified with an adjective, such as 'die katholische Kirche' (the Catholic Church) or 'die evangelische Kirche' (the Protestant Church).
EXAMPLE
Immer mehr Menschen treten aus der Kirche aus.
More and more people are leaving the church.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Kirche im Dorf lassen' (literally: to leave the church in the village; meaning: not to exaggerate) is a fixed expression. You use it to urge someone not to exaggerate and to stay objective.
EXAMPLE
Du hast nur einen kleinen Fehler gemacht, also lass uns mal die Kirche im Dorf lassen.
You only made a small mistake, so let's not exaggerate.
Compare with
Kirche vs Kapelle
chapel / band
A „Kirche“ is generally a building for Christian worship services. A „Kapelle“ is more specific: it is a small church building or a separate prayer room within a larger building. „Kirche“ fits an ordinary place of worship, while „Kapelle“ fits a small or separate place of worship.
Kirche
Die Gemeinde feiert den Sonntagsgottesdienst in der Kirche des Dorfes.
The congregation holds its Sunday service in the village church.
Kapelle
Die kleine Gruppe feiert den Gottesdienst in der Kapelle des Krankenhauses.
The small group holds its service in the hospital chapel.
In real life
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