baptism / christening
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baptism / christening
A Christian ritual in which a person is accepted into the faith community by being sprinkled with or immersed in water.
Die ganze Familie kam zur Taufe des Neugeborenen in die Kirche.
The whole family came to the church for the newborn's baptism.
The noun 'die Taufe' is derived directly from the verb 'taufen' (to baptize/christen). The noun describes the ceremony or act expressed by the verb.
Der Priester wird das Kind taufen.
The priest will baptize the child.
You can tell from context whether a religious ceremony or the naming of a ship is meant. Words like 'Kirche' (church), 'Kind' (child), or 'Pate' (godfather) point to the religious meaning, while 'Schiff' (ship), 'Sektflasche' (bottle of sparkling wine), or 'Hafen' (harbor) refer to the christening of a ship.
Zur Taufe des Kindes kamen alle Verwandten.
All the relatives came to the child's baptism.
In a religious context, you are 'zur Taufe eingeladen' (invited to the baptism/christening) or go 'zur Taufe' (to the baptism/christening). The person who takes on a special role for the child is called a 'Pate' (godfather) or 'Patin' (godmother).
Wir sind am Samstag zur Taufe meiner Nichte eingeladen.
We are invited to my niece's baptism on Saturday.
inauguration / housewarming
'Taufe' and 'Einweihung' can both be a formal ceremony or celebration. 'Taufe' is used mainly for a Christian ritual with water or for a ceremony in which something new, for example a ship, is given a name. 'Einweihung' is used when a new building, a bridge, or even an apartment is officially or privately celebrated and used for the first time. The words can be confusing because both have to do with a ceremonial beginning. A simple guide is: for religion or naming, 'Taufe' often fits; for an opening or new use, 'Einweihung' fits.
Am Sonntag findet die Taufe des Kindes in der kleinen Kirche statt.
On Sunday, the child's baptism takes place in the small church.
Zur Einweihung des neuen Gemeindehauses kommen viele Nachbarn.
Many neighbors are coming to the inauguration of the new community center.