01
die Urne
urn
A vessel in which the ashes of a deceased person are kept after cremation.
example
Die Urne wurde im Familiengrab beigesetzt.
The urn was buried in the family grave.
die Urne
urn / ballot box
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clues
The context makes clear which 'Urne' (urn/ballot box) is meant. Words like 'Wahl' (election) or 'Stimme' (vote) point to the ballot box. Terms like 'Asche' (ashes), 'Beisetzung' (burial), or 'Friedhof' (cemetery) refer to a funeral context. 'Ausgrabung' (excavation) or 'antike' (ancient) indicate the archaeological meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Wahlbeteiligung war hoch, die Urnen waren voll.
Voter turnout was high; the ballot boxes were full.
Typical collocations
In connection with a burial, the verbs 'beisetzen' (to bury/inter) and 'aufbewahren' (to keep/store) are typical. People also speak of an 'Urnenbestattung' (urn burial) or an 'Urnengrab' (urn grave).
EXAMPLE
Immer mehr Menschen entscheiden sich für eine Urnenbestattung.
More and more people are choosing an urn burial.
Fixed expressions
In a political context, there are fixed expressions such as 'zur Urne gehen' (to go to the polls) or 'an die Urnen treten' (to go to the polls), both of which mean 'wählen gehen' (to go vote).
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag sind die Bürger aufgerufen, an die Urnen zu treten.
On Sunday, citizens are called upon to go to the polls.
Compare with
Urne vs Vase
vase
'die Urne' and 'die Vase' are both containers, but they are used in very different situations. A 'Vase' is usually in the home and is meant for flowers. An 'Urne' can be a vessel for the ashes of a deceased person, a ballot box for voting slips, or a historical vessel. The words can be confused because both can look like containers. In everyday use, however: flowers go in a vase, ashes or ballots go in an urn.
Urne
Nach der Feuerbestattung wurde die Urne auf dem Friedhof beigesetzt.
After the cremation, the urn was buried in the cemetery.
Vase
Auf dem Tisch steht eine blaue Vase mit frischen Tulpen.
There is a blue vase with fresh tulips on the table.
In real life
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