fate
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fate
A higher power or course of events that is seen as predetermined and unchangeable; one's personal lot or destiny.
Manche glauben, dass es Schicksal war, als sie ihren Partner trafen.
Some people believe it was fate when they met their partner.
fate
The totality of the life circumstances or fortunes of a person, group, or thing, often with a negative connotation.
Das Schicksal der Flüchtlinge bewegte die ganze Welt.
The fate of the refugees moved the whole world.
The word 'Schicksal' (fate) is related to the verb 'schicken' (to send). The basic idea is that fate is something that is 'geschickt' (sent) to someone by a higher power or predetermined for them.
Er nahm sein Schicksal an, wie es kam.
He accepted his fate as it came.
'Schicksal' (fate) is often combined with strong verbs and adjectives. Typical phrases are 'an das Schicksal glauben' (to believe in fate), 'sein Schicksal akzeptieren' (to accept one's fate), 'ein tragisches Schicksal' (a tragic fate), or 'das Schicksal herausfordern' (to tempt fate).
Viele Menschen leiden unter einem schweren Schicksal.
Many people suffer under a difficult fate.
A very common and positive idiom is 'sein Schicksal selbst in die Hand nehmen' (to take one's fate into one's own hands). It means to actively shape one's life and not let oneself be guided passively.
Nach der Kündigung beschloss sie, ihr Schicksal selbst in die Hand zu nehmen und eine eigene Firma zu gründen.
After being laid off, she decided to take her fate into her own hands and start her own company.
go / loose
With the given parts of speech and accepted meanings, “los” and “das Schicksal” cannot be used as equivalent terms for a person’s path through life. “Das Schicksal” describes a predetermined course or life circumstances; this meaning is not given for “los” here. Therefore, “los” is not a suitable substitute in this context.
Sie nahm ihr schwieriges Schicksal trotz vieler Probleme an.
Despite many problems, she accepted her difficult fate.
Nach dem Öffnen der Tür war der Hund plötzlich los.
After the door was opened, the dog suddenly got loose.
