01
sündigen
to sin
To commit a sin; to violate religious or moral commandments.
example
In seiner Predigt sprach der Pfarrer darüber, warum Menschen sündigen.
In his sermon, the pastor spoke about why people sin.
sündigen
to sin
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'sündigen' (to sin) is derived directly from the noun 'die Sünde' (sin). When someone 'sündigt' (sins), they commit a sin.
EXAMPLE
Er beichtete seine Sünden, weil er gesündigt hatte.
He confessed his sins because he had sinned.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it refers to small, everyday 'Vergehen' (offenses), usually in connection with enjoyment (eating, drinking, shopping). The tone is often humorous or ironic, while the religious meaning is very serious.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem leckeren Eis muss man einfach sündigen!
With this delicious ice cream, you simply have to indulge!
Colloquial use
In colloquial language, 'sündigen' (to indulge) is very often used in this figurative meaning. It often appears together with the word 'mal' to emphasize that it is an exception.
EXAMPLE
Normalerweise esse ich gesund, aber heute sündige ich mal mit einer Pizza.
Normally I eat healthily, but today I'm going to indulge a little with a pizza.
Correct preposition
In the religious or moral meaning, 'sündigen' (to sin) is often used with the preposition 'gegen' and the accusative to express what someone is violating.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte das Gefühl, gegen ein wichtiges Gebot gesündigt zu haben.
He had the feeling that he had sinned against an important commandment.
Compare with
sündigen vs übertreiben
to exaggerate
'übertreiben' and 'sündigen' can both mean that you allow yourself more than is actually good for you. 'übertreiben' is general: you can overdo it with work, sports, food, or partying. 'sündigen' is often used figuratively with food, especially when someone is actually trying to watch their health or follow a diet. It usually sounds a bit playful: you treat yourself to something that is not entirely sensible. Learners may confuse the words because both express too much of something. However, 'übertreiben' fits many more situations, while 'sündigen' fits especially with small moments of indulgence.
sündigen
Frau Neumann sündigt heute und bestellt nach dem Salat noch ein Stück Kuchen.
Mrs. Neumann is indulging today and orders a piece of cake after the salad.
übertreiben
Beim Training hat Max es übertrieben und jetzt tut ihm das Knie weh.
Max overdid it during training, and now his knee hurts.
In real life
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