mantra
Loading your saved state.
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.'
mantra
In Hinduism and Buddhism, a sacred syllable, word, or verse that is repeatedly recited or thought in order to focus the mind and achieve a spiritual effect.
Während der Meditation konzentrierte sie sich auf das leise Wiederholen ihres Mantras.
During meditation, she focused on quietly repeating her mantra.
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
A Motto is a guiding idea expressed in a concise form. A Mantra can also express a principle, but it emphasizes that the same sentence is repeated constantly or insistently. Motto fits when the focus is on the guiding principle; Mantra is more suitable when repetition is central.
Vor einer schwierigen Prüfung wiederholt Tom ständig sein Mantra: „Ruhig bleiben“.
Before a difficult exam, Tom constantly repeats his mantra: “Stay calm.”
„Ruhig bleiben“ ist Toms Motto für schwierige Prüfungen.
“Stay calm” is Tom’s motto for difficult exams.
