sermon
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sermon
A speech about a religious or moral topic, usually given by a member of the clergy as part of a church service.
Die Predigt des Pastors handelte von Vergebung und Versöhnung.
The pastor's sermon was about forgiveness and reconciliation.
'Die Predigt' (the sermon) is the noun that belongs to the verb 'predigen' (to preach). When a pastor preaches, he gives a sermon.
Der Priester predigte über Nächstenliebe.
The priest preached about charity.
In a religious context, a sermon is 'gehalten' (given/delivered) by a member of the clergy and 'gehört' (heard) by the faithful. It usually takes place in a 'Kirche' (church) or during a 'Gottesdienst' (church service).
Wir haben am Sonntag in der Kirche eine interessante Predigt gehört.
We heard an interesting sermon in church on Sunday.
The figurative meaning of a long, reproachful speech is almost always used with a dative object: 'jemandem eine Predigt halten' (to give someone a lecture). The dative object is the person receiving the reproach.
Als ich zu spät kam, hielt mir meine Mutter eine lange Predigt.
When I arrived late, my mother gave me a long lecture.
speech / talk
'die Rede' and 'die Predigt' can both mean a longer oral speech or talk in front of people. 'Rede' is the more general word and fits, for example, celebrations, politics, school, or work. 'Predigt' is used mainly for a religious or moral speech, especially in a church service. In a figurative sense, 'Predigt' often sounds critical: someone speaks at length and in a lecturing way about another person's behavior. Learners may confuse the words because a sermon is a kind of speech. But not every 'Rede' is a 'Predigt'.
In der Kirche hörte die Klasse am Sonntag eine Predigt über Hilfe für andere.
On Sunday, the class heard a sermon in church about helping others.
Bei der Feier hält der Chef eine kurze Rede.
At the celebration, the boss gives a short speech.