mana
das Mana
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mana
In fantasy games, films, and books, a form of magical energy that a character needs in order to cast spells. A supply of mana is usually limited and has to regenerate.
Der Zauberer konnte den Drachen nicht angreifen, weil ihm das Mana fehlte.
The wizard couldn't attack the dragon because he was out of mana.
mana
In ethnology and religious studies, a supernatural, impersonal force or power that, in some cultures (especially in Polynesia), is believed to reside in certain people, animals, or objects.
Man glaubte, dass der Speer des Häuptlings über besonderes Mana verfügte.
People believed that the chief's spear possessed special mana.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Manas |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Mana | – |
| accusative | das Mana | – |
| dative | dem Mana | – |
| genitive | des Manas | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The meaning of 'Mana' (mana) depends heavily on the context. If people are talking about games, fantasy, or magic, it refers to magical energy. In academic texts about ancient cultures, it refers to spiritual power.
Im Spiel hat mein Charakter viel Mana, aber wenig Leben.
In the game, my character has a lot of mana but little health.
Der Anthropologe erforschte den Glauben an Mana in Polynesien.
The anthropologist researched belief in mana in Polynesia.
In a fantasy context, 'Mana' (mana) is often combined with verbs such as 'verbrauchen' (to consume/use up), 'regenerieren' (to regenerate), or 'wiederherstellen' (to restore). Common nouns are 'Manapunkte' (mana points), 'Manatrank' (mana potion), and 'Manakosten' (mana cost).
Dieser Zauberspruch verbraucht sehr viel Mana.
This spell uses up a lot of mana.
Ich muss einen Manatrank benutzen, um weiterkämpfen zu können.
I need to use a mana potion so I can keep fighting.
The meaning 'magical energy' is typical of the language of video games, role-playing games, and fantasy literature. Outside this subculture, this meaning is hardly known.
Warte kurz, mein Mana muss sich erst regenerieren.
Wait a moment, my mana has to regenerate first.
The original meaning of 'Mana' (mana) as a supernatural power is a technical term from ethnology and religious studies. You usually encounter it only in academic texts.
Die ethnologische Studie untersucht das Konzept von Mana in ozeanischen Kulturen.
The ethnological study examines the concept of mana in Oceanic cultures.
