life path
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life path
The entire course of a person's life from birth to death, including all important events, developments, and experiences.
Sein Lebensweg war von vielen Erfolgen, aber auch von schweren Schicksalsschlägen geprägt.
His life path was shaped by many successes, but also by severe blows of fate.
The word is composed of 'das Leben' (life) and 'der Weg' (path/way). So it figuratively describes the path a person walks through life.
In seiner Biografie blickt er auf seinen langen Lebensweg zurück.
In his biography, he looks back on his long life path.
'Lebensweg' (life path) is often combined with adjectives like 'bewegt' (eventful), 'schwierig' (difficult), or 'erfolgreich' (successful). Typical verbs are 'prägen' (to shape) or 'nachzeichnen' (to trace/reconstruct).
Ihre Kindheit hat ihren gesamten weiteren Lebensweg geprägt.
Her childhood shaped the entire further course of her life.
This word has a slightly formal and reflective character. You often find it in biographies, obituaries, or deep conversations about life.
Am Ende seines Lebensweges war er mit sich im Reinen.
At the end of his life path, he was at peace with himself.
fate
'das Schicksal' and 'der Lebensweg' can both refer to the course of a person's life. 'Der Lebensweg' describes more neutrally how a person lives and which important stages they experience. 'Das Schicksal' sounds stronger and often more emotional. It refers to events or life circumstances that one can hardly control, or that seem predetermined. It also often has a heavy or negative tone. The words can be confused because both talk about a person's life. For a factual description, 'Lebensweg' fits better; when it is about happiness, suffering, or an unavoidable development, 'Schicksal' is more natural.
In dem Buch erzählt die Ärztin von ihrem ungewöhnlichen Lebensweg.
In the book, the doctor talks about her unusual life path.
Nach dem Unfall hat sich das Schicksal der Familie stark verändert.
After the accident, the family's fate changed dramatically.