tragedy
Loading your saved state.
tragedy
A form of drama with tragic content and usually an unhappy or catastrophic ending for the main characters. Synonymous with tragedy.
Shakespeares „Hamlet“ ist eines der berühmtesten Trauerspiele der Weltliteratur.
Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' is one of the most famous tragedies in world literature.
The word is made up of 'die Trauer' (grief/mourning) and 'das Spiel' (play). It literally means a 'play of grief', which describes the literary genre of tragedy well.
Goethes 'Faust' wird oft als Trauerspiel bezeichnet.
Goethe's 'Faust' is often referred to as a tragedy.
You can tell from context whether the literary genre or a sad event is meant. If the topic is theater or literature, the first meaning is intended. In everyday conversations about politics or sports, the figurative meaning is usually meant.
Im Deutschunterricht analysieren wir ein Trauerspiel von Schiller.
In German class, we are analyzing a tragedy by Schiller.
In the figurative sense, 'Trauerspiel' (sad spectacle/tragedy) is used for a very deplorable or chaotic event. It often expresses strong disappointment or criticism.
Das letzte Fußballspiel unserer Mannschaft war ein Trauerspiel.
Our team's last soccer match was a sad spectacle.
drama
'Das Drama' and 'das Trauerspiel' can both mean something very serious, sad, or upsetting. In literature, 'Drama' is the more general term for a play. A 'Trauerspiel' is a specific type of drama, namely a tragedy with a sad ending. In everyday language, 'Drama' can also describe a strong or exaggerated emotional reaction. 'Trauerspiel', by contrast, sounds more judgmental: it refers to a very sad or bad situation. These words can be confused because both have to do with tragedy. As a practical rule: 'Drama' is broader and more everyday, while 'Trauerspiel' is more specific for a tragedy or a deplorable situation.
Die Aufführung endete als Trauerspiel, weil die Hauptfigur alles verlor.
The performance ended as a tragedy because the main character lost everything.
Nach der schlechten Note machte er ein großes Drama daraus.
After the bad grade, he made a big drama out of it.