morality / morale
Loading your saved state.
morality
The totality of ethical values and norms that determine behavior and coexistence in a society.
Die Frage, ob das Klonen von Menschen erlaubt sein sollte, ist eine Frage der Moral.
The question of whether human cloning should be allowed is a question of morality.
morale
The psychological state, fighting spirit, or motivation of a person or group in a challenging situation.
Nach der unerwarteten Niederlage war die Moral der Mannschaft am Boden.
After the unexpected defeat, the team's morale was at rock bottom.
moral
The lesson or deeper meaning that can be drawn from a story, a fable, or an event.
Und die Moral von der Geschicht': Vertraue nicht jedem, der freundlich scheint.
And the moral of the story: Don't trust everyone who seems friendly.
double standard
The application of different moral standards to oneself and to others, often for one's own benefit.
Er kritisiert andere für ihr Verhalten, macht aber selbst dasselbe – das ist pure Doppelmoral.
He criticizes others for their behavior but does the same thing himself—that's pure double standards.
The two main meanings can be distinguished well: If it is about values and ethical principles in society, 'Moral' (morality) is meant in the philosophical sense. If it is about the motivation and fighting spirit of a group (e.g., a team, soldiers), it refers to the psychological state, i.e. morale.
Die Debatte über künstliche Intelligenz wirft viele Fragen der Moral auf.
The debate about artificial intelligence raises many questions of morality.
When 'Moral' (morale) means team spirit, it is often used with verbs such as 'heben' (to raise), 'stärken' (to strengthen), 'sinken' (to sink/decline), or 'untergraben' (to undermine). Typical nouns are 'Mannschaft' (team), 'Truppe' (troop/unit), or 'Belegschaft' (workforce/staff).
Schlechte Arbeitsbedingungen können die Moral der Mitarbeiter untergraben.
Poor working conditions can undermine employee morale.
The lesson from a story is almost always introduced with the fixed expression 'Die Moral von der Geschicht'…' (the moral of the story...). The apostrophe at the end of 'Geschicht'' is typical for this idiom.
Am Ende der Fabel erklärte der Erzähler: „Und die Moral von der Geschicht': Sei vorsichtig, wem du vertraust.“
At the end of the fable, the narrator explained: 'And the moral of the story: Be careful whom you trust.'
The word 'Doppelmoral' (double standard / double standards) is a compound of 'doppel' (double) and 'Moral' (morality). It literally describes a 'double morality', meaning the application of different moral standards to oneself and to others.
Er wirft anderen Geiz vor, ist aber selbst nicht bereit zu teilen. Das ist Doppelmoral.
He accuses others of being stingy but is not willing to share himself. That's a double standard.
mood / atmosphere
Die Stimmung and die Moral can describe the state of a group in a difficult situation. Stimmung refers to the current emotional atmosphere, while Moral refers especially to confidence, motivation, and the will to keep going. Stimmung fits a general emotional atmosphere; Moral is more appropriate when referring to the readiness to carry on.
Trotz der Niederlage blieb die Moral der Mannschaft hoch.
Despite the defeat, the team's morale remained high.
Nach der Niederlage war die Stimmung in der Mannschaft gedrückt.
After the defeat, the mood in the team was subdued.
