mantra
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mantra
In a figurative sense, a sentence, catchphrase, or principle that is constantly repeated and expresses a fixed belief or guiding idea.
Sein persönliches Mantra lautet: 'Jeder Tag ist eine neue Chance'.
His personal mantra is: 'Every day is a new opportunity.'
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If people are talking about yoga, meditation, or spirituality, the original religious meaning is meant. In everyday, political, or business contexts, it is usually the figurative meaning of an often-repeated guiding phrase.
Im Yogakurs haben wir gelernt, ein Mantra zu rezitieren.
In the yoga class, we learned to recite a mantra.
In the figurative meaning, 'Mantra' (mantra) is often referred to as 'jemandes persönliches Mantra' (someone's personal mantra). A typical sentence structure is 'Sein/Ihr Mantra lautet: ...' (His/Her mantra is: ...), followed by the quotation.
Ihr persönliches Mantra ist, niemals aufzugeben.
Her personal mantra is never to give up.
When you refer to another person's often-repeated sentence as a 'Mantra' (mantra), it can have a slightly critical or ironic undertone. It suggests that the person repeats this sentence almost automatically and without thinking.
Er wiederholt ständig sein Mantra, dass früher alles besser war.
He constantly repeats his mantra that everything used to be better.
In the original, spiritual sense, 'Mantra' (mantra) is often combined with verbs such as 'rezitieren' (to recite), 'singen' (to sing), or 'wiederholen' (to repeat) to describe the meditative action.
Sie singt jeden Morgen ihr Mantra, um den Tag ruhig zu beginnen.
She sings her mantra every morning in order to begin the day calmly.
motto
'das Motto' and 'das Mantra' can both refer to a short phrase or principle that expresses an attitude. 'Motto' more often describes a guiding phrase for a person, a group, an event, or an action. 'Mantra' is used figuratively when a sentence is said again and again and feels almost like a fixed rule. It can be meant positively, but it can also sound slightly critical if someone is just repeating the same thing over and over. The words can be confused because both are short and memorable. 'Motto' fits better for a theme or guiding idea; 'Mantra' fits better when repetition is the main point.
Vor der Prüfung wiederholt er sein Mantra: ruhig bleiben und Schritt für Schritt arbeiten.
Before the exam, he repeats his mantra: stay calm and work step by step.
Unser Motto beim Wandern ist: langsam gehen, aber zusammen ankommen.
Our motto when hiking is: go slowly, but arrive together.