die Muse
muse
A person, usually a woman, who inspires an artist, writer, or musician to create works.
EXAMPLE
Gala war die Muse und Ehefrau des Malers Salvador Dalí.
Gala was the muse and wife of the painter Salvador Dalí.
die Muse
muse
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Meanings
die Muse
muse / inspiration
In a figurative sense, creative inspiration or creative power itself. Often used in the phrase 'von der Muse geküsst werden' (to be kissed by the muse).
EXAMPLE
Heute will mir einfach nichts einfallen, die Muse hat mich verlassen.
Today I just can't think of anything; the muse has left me.
die Muse
Muse
In Greek and Roman mythology, one of the nine goddesses of the arts and sciences.
EXAMPLE
In der Antike riefen Dichter die Muse an, um Inspiration für ihre Epen zu erhalten.
In antiquity, poets invoked the Muse to receive inspiration for their epics.
Usage tips
Distinguishing meanings
The mythological meaning is often recognizable from the plural ('die Musen' — the Muses) or from historical references. The figurative meaning of inspiration usually appears in fixed expressions. When a specific person is meant, there is often a possessive pronoun with it ('seine Muse' — his muse).
EXAMPLE
Der Dichter wartete auf die Inspiration durch die Muse.
The poet waited for inspiration from the muse.
Cultural origin
The word 'Muse' is strongly connected with art, literature, and music. Words like 'Museum' (place of the Muses) or 'Musik' (art of the Muses) have the same Greek origin.
EXAMPLE
Ohne die richtige Musik finde ich keine Muse zum Schreiben.
Without the right music, I can't find any muse for writing.
Fixed expressions
In the meaning of 'inspiration,' 'Muse' is almost always used in fixed idioms. The best-known one is 'von der Muse geküsst werden' (to be kissed by the muse), which means to have a sudden creative idea.
EXAMPLE
Gestern war ich wirklich von der Muse geküsst und habe drei Lieder geschrieben.
Yesterday I was truly kissed by the muse and wrote three songs.
Mythological background
The original meaning refers to the nine goddesses of the arts in Greek mythology. In this context, the plural 'die Musen' (the Muses) is often used to refer to all of these goddesses collectively.
EXAMPLE
Ein Museum ist wörtlich ein „Tempel der Musen“.
A museum is literally a 'temple of the Muses.'
Compare with
Muse vs Inspiration
inspiration
A person can be both an inspiration and a Muse for an artist. Inspiration refers neutrally to a source of creative stimulation. Muse presents the person more as a special, idealized female companion in the artistic process.
Muse
Für seine neue Bildserie betrachtete der Künstler seine Schwester als seine Muse.
For his new series of paintings, the artist regarded his sister as his muse.
Inspiration
Für seine neue Bildserie war seine Schwester eine wichtige Inspiration.
His sister was an important inspiration for his new series of paintings.
In real life
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