pilgrim
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pilgrim
A person who undertakes a journey to a holy place for religious reasons.
Jedes Jahr machen sich Tausende Pilger auf den Weg nach Santiago de Compostela.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims set out for Santiago de Compostela.
'Der Pilger' (the pilgrim) is closely related to the verb 'pilgern' (to go on a pilgrimage) and the noun 'die Pilgerreise' (the pilgrimage). These words form a word family with a shared meaning.
Er beschloss, nächstes Jahr nach Jerusalem zu pilgern.
He decided to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem next year.
'Pilger' (pilgrim) is often used with prepositions that describe the route or destination. Common phrases are 'Pilger auf dem Jakobsweg' (pilgrims on the Way of St. James) or 'Pilger auf dem Weg nach Mekka' (pilgrims on the way to Mecca).
Wir trafen viele Pilger aus verschiedenen Ländern auf unserem Weg.
We met many pilgrims from different countries on our way.
Sometimes 'Pilger' (pilgrim) is also used figuratively. It describes people who travel in large numbers to a special, non-religious place, such as a music festival or a stadium.
Die Fans des Fußballvereins sind wie Pilger zu jedem Auswärtsspiel gereist.
The football club's fans traveled like pilgrims to every away game.
tourist
'der Tourist' and 'der Pilger' can both mean a person who travels and visits a special place. The important difference is the reason for the journey. A tourist usually travels out of interest, for relaxation, or for pleasure. A pilgrim travels to a holy place for religious reasons. The words can be confused because pilgrims may also seem like travelers or visitors while they are on the road. If religion or a holy place is the focus, 'Pilger' is more precise; for ordinary travel and sightseeing, 'Tourist' fits.
Im Sommer geht der Pilger zu Fuß zu einem heiligen Ort.
In summer, the pilgrim walks to a holy place.
Im Restaurant fragt ein Tourist nach einer Karte der Altstadt.
In the restaurant, a tourist asks for a map of the old town.