01
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
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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 Gemeinde
municipality / community
'die Kirche' and 'die Gemeinde' can both have to do with Christian faith and worship services. 'die Kirche' often means the building or the large religious organization. 'die Gemeinde' more often means the people who belong together as part of a church or a place. In addition, 'Gemeinde' can also be a political unit, meaning a village or town with its own administration. The words can be confused when talking about religion. As a simple guide: you often go into 'die Kirche'; people belong to 'die Gemeinde'.
Kirche
Nach der Nachricht hat die Kirche um Spenden für die Familien gebeten.
After the news, the church asked for donations for the families.
Gemeinde
Die Gemeinde trifft sich am Sonntag nach dem Gottesdienst im Saal.
The congregation meets in the hall on Sunday after the service.
In real life
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