die  Passion

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/pasˈsi̯oːn/

📖 What does 'die Passion' mean?

The German word die Passion primarily has two meanings:

1. Religious meaning: The Passion of Christ, meaning the suffering and death of Jesus Christ as described in the Bible. This is a very specific, often solemn usage.

2. General meaning: A very strong passion, enthusiasm, or devotion for a specific thing, activity, or person. It describes deep emotional commitment. A common synonym here is die Leidenschaft.

⚠️ Attention: Although both meanings exist, in a religious context, 'die Passion' is almost exclusively used, while in general language, 'die Leidenschaft' is often preferred. However, 'die Passion' can also be used generally, often emphasizing a strong intensity.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Passion

The noun 'Passion' is feminine. It uses the article die.

📝 Example Sentences

• Religious: Die Kirche gedenkt während der Karwoche der Passion Christi. (The church commemorates the Passion of Christ during Holy Week.)
• General: Ihre Passion für Musik ist unüberhörbar. (Her passion for music is unmistakable.)
• General (Plural): Er hat viele Passionen, darunter Kochen und Bergsteigen. (He has many passions, including cooking and mountaineering.)

💡 Usage in Context

The use of die Passion strongly depends on the context:

• Religious Context: Here, 'die Passion' refers almost exclusively to the suffering of Christ. People talk about the Passionszeit (Passiontide), Passionsmusik (Passion music, e.g., Bach's St Matthew Passion), or Passionsspiele (Passion plays).
• General Context: Here, 'die Passion' means a very strong, often all-consuming passion or devotion. It sounds somewhat more elevated or intense than 'die Leidenschaft'. You can have a Passion for something (e.g., die Passion für Kunst - the passion for art).

Comparison with 'Leidenschaft': 'Die Leidenschaft' is the more common word for strong enthusiasm in everyday life. 'Die Passion' often feels stronger, more profound, or sometimes a bit more old-fashioned or formal, but can be chosen deliberately to emphasize intensity.

🧠 Mnemonics for Passion

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'passion' as a strong emotion. In German, emotion is 'die Emotion' (feminine). Thus: die Passion.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone having such a strong passion (Leidenschaft) for something that they would suffer (leiden) for it. This connects the general meaning (passion) with the religious one (suffering of Christ).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

Be careful not to confuse 'Passion' with 'passiv' (passive), which means 'inactive' or 'enduring'.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Musiker den anderen: "Was ist deine größte Passion?"
Antwortet der andere: "Schlafen. Da treffe ich wenigstens jeden Ton."

One musician asks the other: "What is your biggest passion?"
The other replies: "Sleeping. At least then I hit every note (tone)." (Pun: Ton means 'sound/tone' and 'note' musically)

✒️ Poem about Passion

Die Passion, ein tiefes Wort,
trägt Leiden an heil'gem Ort.
Doch auch ein Feuer, hell und klar,
für das, was uns ganz kostbar war.
Ob Kunst, Musik, ob Lieb' allein,
die Passion lässt Herzen glüh'n – so fein.

(The Passion, a word profound,
Bears suffering on hallowed ground.
But also fire, bright and clear,
For that which we hold truly dear.
Be it art, or music, or love alone,
Passion makes hearts glow – finely sown.)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich kann von großem Leid erzählen,
das Gläubige oft wählen.
Doch bin ich auch ein starkes Feuer,
macht manches Hobby teuer.

Was bin ich? ... Die Passion

(I can speak of greatest pain,
That faithful souls often sustain.
But I am also a strong fire,
Making some hobbies cost higher.

What am I?
... Die Passion)

✨ Other Information

Word Origin: The word 'Passion' comes from the Latin word 'passio', which means 'suffering', 'enduring', but also 'passion' or 'desire'. So the dual meaning was already present in Latin.

Cultural Significance: Particularly famous are the Passionsspiele (Passion Plays), such as those in Oberammergau, Germany, which scenically depict the suffering and death of Christ. 'Die Passion' also plays a major role in music history, for example, through the oratorios of Johann Sebastian Bach.