nun / nun moth
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nun
A woman who lives in a monastery as a member of a religious community (order) and has committed herself through vows to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Die Nonnen des Klosters widmen ihr Leben dem Gebet und der Hilfe für Bedürftige.
The nuns of the monastery devote their lives to prayer and helping those in need.
This word has two very different meanings. The context makes clear what is meant: in connection with religion, church, or monastery, it refers to the woman. In the context of forests, trees, insects, or damage, it refers to the moth.
Die alte Kirche wird von nur noch drei Nonnen betreut.
The old church is now looked after by only three nuns.
When referring to the woman in a religious order, 'Nonne' (nun) is often combined with verbs like 'werden' (to become) or 'sein' (to be), and places like 'Kloster' (monastery/convent). Typical phrases are 'ins Kloster gehen' (to enter a convent/monastery), 'Nonne werden' (to become a nun), or 'als Nonne leben' (to live as a nun).
Sie hat sich schon in jungen Jahren entschieden, Nonne zu werden.
She decided to become a nun at a young age.
In the biological meaning, 'die Nonne' (the nun moth) is often used in connection with negative effects on the forest. Common phrases are 'Befall durch die Nonne' (infestation by the nun moth) or 'Schäden durch die Nonne' (damage caused by the nun moth).
Der Wald leidet unter einem starken Befall durch die Nonne.
The forest is suffering from a severe infestation of nun moths.
sister
'die Schwester' and 'die Nonne' can both mean a woman in a religious community. 'Nonne' is the direct term for a woman who lives in a religious order. 'Schwester' is often used as a form of address or a term for a female member of a religious order, for example 'Schwester Maria' (Sister Maria). The words can be confused because 'Schwester' has several meanings: it can also be a sister in the family or a nurse. When talking about a monastery or a religious order, 'Nonne' is very clear; 'Schwester' often sounds more personal or like a title.
Die Nonne lebt in einem kleinen Kloster in den Bergen.
The nun lives in a small monastery in the mountains.
Schwester Maria arbeitet seit vielen Jahren im Kloster.
Sister Maria has been working in the monastery for many years.