German Conversation · Level 66
75 words
German word
Affäre
Pronunciation
IPA/aˈfɛːʁə/
Meaning
- feminine nounaffair
Example
Er hat eine Affäre mit seiner Nachbarin.
He is having an affair with his next-door neighbor.
More examples
Die Affäre kam ans Licht.
The affair came to light.
Core concept
A private liaison that exists outside the relationship treated as official.
Common phrases
eine heimliche Affäre
a secret affair
eine Affäre beginnen
begin an affair
eine Affäre führen
have an affair
Similar words
Fremdgehen: Having a secret romantic or sexual relationship with someone else.
Seitensprung: A brief or one-time romantic or sexual encounter outside a relationship.
Untreue: Disloyal behavior toward a romantic partner or spouse.
Ehebruch: Sexual relations with someone other than a spouse, violating the marriage vows.
Definition in German
Meist heimliche Liebes- oder Sexualbeziehung außerhalb der Ehe oder einer festen Partnerschaft, oft von kurzer oder mittlerer Dauer.
Word origin
The German noun comes through French affaire from the expression à faire and ultimately traces back to Latin facere, 'to do'.
Usage tips
- In German, eine Affäre haben usually takes mit plus the dative for the other person, as in mit seiner Nachbarin.
Other meanings
- liaisonnoun
Opposites
- Ehetreuemarital fidelitynoun
- Loyalitätloyaltynoun