sin
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sin
An action, thought, or state that, in a religious context, is considered a violation of divine commandments or moral principles.
Im Christentum gilt die Habgier als eine der sieben Todsünden.
In Christianity, greed is considered one of the seven deadly sins.
indulgence
A small, enjoyable violation of rules of reason or diet that you allow yourself as an exception. Often used in connection with food.
Dieses Stück Torte ist eine kleine Sünde, aber ich kann nicht widerstehen.
This piece of cake is a little indulgence, but I can't resist.
shame / sin
A regrettable or foolish action; something seen as a waste or a shame. Often in the form 'es ist eine Sünde, ...' (it's a sin/shame to ...).
Es ist eine Sünde, so ein schönes altes Haus verfallen zu lassen.
It's a shame to let such a beautiful old house fall into disrepair.
'Die Sünde' (sin) is the noun related to the verb 'sündigen' (to sin; to commit a sin) and the adjective 'sündig' (sinful; full of sin). The person who sins is called 'der Sünder' (male sinner) or 'die Sünderin' (female sinner).
Er hat in seinem Leben oft gesündigt.
He has often sinned in his life.
In a religious context, the verb 'begehen' (to commit) is used to express that someone commits a sin. Other typical verbs are 'Sünden bekennen' (to confess sins) or 'Sünden vergeben' (to forgive sins).
Er ging zur Beichte, um seine Sünden zu bekennen.
He went to confession to confess his sins.
This meaning is often used humorously or ironically for high-calorie food. Typical phrases are 'eine kleine Sünde' (a little indulgence) or 'eine süße Sünde' (a sweet indulgence).
Ein Stück Schokoladenkuchen ist heute meine kleine Sünde.
A piece of chocolate cake is my little indulgence today.
In the meaning of 'regrettable action', the fixed structure 'Es ist (eine) Sünde, ...' (It is a sin/shame to ...) is almost always used. It is followed either by a 'dass' clause or a 'zu' + infinitive construction.
Es ist eine Sünde, so viel gutes Essen wegzuwerfen.
It's a shame to throw away so much good food.
guilt / debt
A „Sünde“ is, in a religious context, the transgression itself. „Schuld“, by contrast, refers to the moral responsibility or inner burden that results from a wrongful action. „Sünde“ is appropriate for the action, while „Schuld“ is used for its personal moral consequence.
Der Priester bezeichnete den Diebstahl als schwere Sünde.
The priest described the theft as a serious sin.
Nach dem Diebstahl erkannte der Mann seine Schuld.
After the theft, the man acknowledged his guilt.
