German word

Buße

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbuːsə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpenance

Example

Viele Menschen leisten Bußen in der Kirche.

Many people perform penance in church.

Illustration for Buße (penance)

More examples

Er zeigte öffentliche Buße und bat das Opfer um Verzeihung.

He displayed public penance and asked the victim for forgiveness.

Core concept

Remorse crosses a boundary into an accountable deed, such as a religious act of reparation or an official payment for an offence.

Common phrases

  • religiöse Buße

    religious penance

  • öffentliche Buße

    public penance

Similar words

Reue: Deep regret over a past act.
Entschuldigung: Words or actions that express an apology and seek forgiveness.
Bußgeld: A monetary penalty imposed for breaking a law or rule.
Sühne: An act of reparation intended to restore a damaged relationship or order.

Definition in German

Buße ist Reue, die sich in äußeren Schritten zeigt; in bestimmten Kontexten kann das Wort auch eine rechtliche Strafe (z. B. Geldbuße) bezeichnen.

Word origin

The noun Buße is historically connected with Old High German buoza and German büßen, preserving the link between remorse, reparation, and penalty.

Usage tips

  • The formal expression Buße tun is common for religious or moral penance, whereas everyday apologies usually use Entschuldigung or sich entschuldigen.

Other meanings

  • atonementnoun
  • finenoun

Opposites

  • Gnademercynoun
  • Begnadigungclemencynoun

Related words

  • Bußritualpenance ritualnoun
  • bußfertigrepentantadjective

Word lists with this word