01
predigen
to preach
In a religious context, to give a sermon or religious address.
example
Der Pfarrer predigt jeden Sonntag über einen Abschnitt aus der Bibel.
The pastor preaches every Sunday about a passage from the Bible.
predigen
to preach
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'predigen' (to preach) is directly connected to the noun 'die Predigt' (the sermon in church). Someone who preaches gives a sermon.
EXAMPLE
Die Predigt des Priesters war sehr inspirierend.
The priest's sermon was very inspiring.
Dative construction
When you lecture someone, the person receiving the moral sermon is in the dative. You preach something to 'jemandem' (someone).
EXAMPLE
Meine Mutter predigt mir ständig, ich solle mein Zimmer aufräumen.
My mother is constantly preaching to me that I should clean up my room.
Negative undertone
Outside of the religious context, 'predigen' (to preach) often has a negative, annoyed undertone. It means that someone gives advice in an unwanted and lecturing way.
EXAMPLE
Ich weiß, dass Rauchen ungesund ist, du musst es mir nicht jeden Tag predigen.
I know that smoking is unhealthy; you don't have to preach it to me every day.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'Wasser predigen und Wein trinken' (to preach water and drink wine) is a fixed expression. It describes hypocritical behavior, meaning when someone demands something from others that they do not do themselves.
EXAMPLE
Er sagt, wir sollen sparen, kauft sich aber selbst ein teures Auto. Er predigt Wasser und trinkt Wein.
He says we should save money, but he buys himself an expensive car. He preaches water and drinks wine.
Compare with
predigen vs verkünden
to announce / proclaim
'verkünden' and 'predigen' can both occur in a religious context. In that case, 'verkünden' means that a religious message is spread or stated publicly. 'predigen' is more specific when someone gives a sermon or religious address. Outside religion, 'predigen' can also sound negative: someone talks in a lecturing way and tells others how they should behave. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with a message. In practice: you can 'verkünden' a message; you give a sermon by 'predigen'.
predigen
Meine Mutter predigt mir ständig, dass ich mehr sparen soll.
My mother is constantly preaching to me that I should save more.
verkünden
Der Priester verkündete den Menschen eine Botschaft der Hoffnung.
The priest proclaimed a message of hope to the people.
In real life
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