oath / curse
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oath
A solemn, often formal promise that a person makes. A 'Schwur' (oath) carries more weight than a normal promise and is often connected with a ritual action or formula.
Der Zeuge leistete vor Gericht einen Schwur, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
The witness took an oath in court to tell the truth.
The noun 'der Schwur' (the oath) is directly related to the verb 'schwören' (to swear). When a person swears to do or not do something, they take an oath. Understanding the verb therefore helps you understand the noun.
Er schwor, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
He swore to tell the truth.
A 'Schwur' (oath) is usually not 'made' in German, but combined with special verbs. You say 'einen Schwur leisten' (to take an oath) or 'einen Schwur ablegen' (to take an oath). The opposite is 'einen Schwur brechen' (to break an oath).
Die neue Präsidentin legte vor dem Parlament ihren Schwur ab.
The new president took her oath before parliament.
The meaning 'Fluch' (curse) or 'Verwünschung' (imprecation) is outdated and now appears almost only in literary or historical texts. In modern German, 'Schwur' is used exclusively for a solemn promise.
Mit einem finsteren Schwur verfluchte er seine Gegner.
With a dark curse, he cursed his enemies.
curse
'der Fluch' and 'der Schwur' both have to do with strongly spoken words, but today they usually mean very different things. A 'Fluch' is meant to bring misfortune or is an angry exclamation. A 'Schwur', on the other hand, is a solemn promise. There is a risk of confusion because 'Schwur' can also mean an imprecation in older or literary language. In everyday German today, however, this meaning is rare. If someone seriously promises something, 'Schwur' fits. If someone wishes misfortune on someone or says something harsh out of anger, 'Fluch' fits.
Vor seinen Freunden legte Julian einen Schwur ab, niemandem das Geheimnis zu verraten.
In front of his friends, Julian took an oath not to tell anyone the secret.
In der Geschichte liegt ein Fluch auf dem alten Schloss.
In the story, there is a curse on the old castle.