die  Sünde

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzʏndə/

📖 What does "die Sünde" mean?

The German word die Sünde (plural: die Sünden) generally refers to a transgression of religious or moral commandments. It's a central concept in many religions, particularly Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, where it denotes actions, thoughts, or states considered a violation of divine will or ethical norms.

In a broader sense, Sünde can also be used metaphorically for:

• A serious wrongdoing or grave mistake (e.g., "Das war eine Sünde wider die Menschlichkeit." - That was a sin against humanity.).
• A minor transgression or something one shouldn't really allow oneself but does anyway (often humorously, e.g., "Diese Schokolade ist eine Sünde wert." - This chocolate is worth sinning for.).
• Something very regrettable or a pity (e.g., "Es ist eine Sünde, dieses alte Haus abzureißen." - It's a sin/pity to tear down this old house.).

🚨 It is always a feminine noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Sünde" in Detail

Sünde is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Im Religionsunterricht sprachen sie über die Sünde und Vergebung.
   (In religious education class, they talked about sin and forgiveness.)
2. Er beichtete seine Sünden dem Priester.
   (He confessed his sins to the priest.)
3. Es wäre eine Sünde, bei diesem schönen Wetter drinnen zu bleiben.
   (It would be a sin/pity to stay inside in this beautiful weather.)
4. Die größte Sünde ist, nichts zu tun, wenn man helfen könnte.
   (The greatest sin is to do nothing when one could help.)
5. Gönn dir das Kuchenstück, eine kleine Sünde muss manchmal sein!
   (Treat yourself to the piece of cake, a little sin is necessary sometimes!)

🤔 How to use "Sünde"?

The use of Sünde strongly depends on the context:

• Religiöser Kontext (Religious Context): Here, Sünde refers to the transgression of divine commandments (e.g., die Erbsünde - original sin, eine Todsünde begehen - to commit a mortal sin, Sünden vergeben - to forgive sins).
• Moralischer/Ethischer Kontext (Moral/Ethical Context): Denotes serious violations of ethical norms or conscience (e.g., eine Sünde wider die Natur - a sin against nature).
• Alltagssprachlicher Kontext (Everyday Context - often ironic/figurative): Here, Sünde is used for minor offenses, regrettable circumstances, or indulgences one 'shouldn't' really afford. Examples:
  • "Diese Torte ist die reinste Sünde!" (This cake is pure sin! - meaning very delicious but high in calories)
  • "Es ist doch eine Sünde, so gutes Essen wegzuwerfen." (It's really a sin/pity to throw away such good food.)
  • "Jugendsünden" (youthful sins - mistakes or follies committed in youth)

Related words are the verb sündigen (to sin) and the adjective sündhaft (sinful; very expensive/tempting).

⚠️ Distinguish Sünde (moral/religious transgression) from Fehler (mistake, error) or Verbrechen (crime).

💡 Mnemonics for "die Sünde"

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -e and having two syllables are feminine – including die Sünde. You could picture a female figure (like Eve) who is associated with die (the feminine article) committing the first Sünde.

Meaning Mnemonic: Sünde sounds a bit like the English word "sin". You could also think it sounds like "soon done" – often, a sin is committed quickly, maybe too soon, leading to regret.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• Sühne: (Atonement, expiation) - Making amends for guilt or sin.
• Sonde: (Probe, sensor) - Medical or technical instrument for investigation (sounds similar, completely different meaning!).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der kleine Sohn seinen Vater: "Papa, was ist eine Erbsünde?"
Vater: "Das ist die Sünde, die man von seinen Eltern erbt. Verstehst du?"
Sohn: "Ach so! So wie Opas alte Kuckucksuhr?"

(Little son asks his father: "Dad, what's original sin?"
Father: "That's the sin you inherit from your parents. Understand?"
Son: "Oh! Like grandpa's old cuckoo clock?")

✍️ Poem about Sin

Die Sünde lockt mit süßem Schein,
flüstert leise: "Komm herein!"
Ein falscher Schritt, ein kurzer Rausch,
Danach die Reue, still und lausch. Doch Hoffnung gibt's, ein Neuanfang,
Vergebung löst den alten Zwang.

(Sin lures with a sweet appearance,
Whispering softly: "Come on in!"
A wrong step, a brief intoxication,
Then remorse, quiet and hidden.
But there is hope, a new beginning,
Forgiveness releases the old compulsion.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Bruch mit dem Gebot,
Bring oft Gewissensnot.
Mal klein, mal groß, mal nur gedacht,
Hab über Herzen große Macht.
Man kann mich beichten und bereu'n,
Doch besser wär's, mir fern zu sein.

(I am a break with the commandment,
Often bring distress of conscience.
Sometimes small, sometimes big, sometimes just a thought,
I have great power over hearts.
You can confess and repent me,
But it would be better to stay away from me.)

What am I?
... Die Sünde (Sin)

ℹ️ Other Information

Etymology: The word Sünde comes from the Old High German sunta or suntea, which originally might have meant "separation (from God)", "damage", or "guilt". The exact origin is not fully clarified, but the connection to religious and moral transgressions is very old.

Common Compounds:

• Erbsünde: (Original sin) - (Theology) The sinfulness inherited by all humans from Adam and Eve.
• Todsünde: (Mortal sin) - (Catholicism) A particularly grave sin that leads to the loss of grace (e.g., pride, greed, lust, wrath, gluttony, envy, sloth - often called the Seven Deadly Sins).
• Jugendsünde: (Youthful sin/folly) - A mistake or foolish act committed in one's youth.
• Sündenbock: (Scapegoat) - Someone unfairly blamed for something.
• Sündflut: (The Great Flood/Deluge) - Biblical flood (often spelled Sintflut, but linguistically related).