German word

Gebet

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈbeːt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounprayer

Example

Wir sprechen vor dem Essen ein Gebet.

We say a prayer before the meal.

Illustration for Gebet (prayer)

More examples

Vor der Operation bat sie im Gebet um Hilfe.

Before the operation, she asked for help in prayer.

Core concept

A private or communal act presents a request, gratitude, or plea for someone else through speech or thought.

Common phrases

  • ein Gebet sprechen

    say a prayer

  • stilles Gebet

    silent prayer

  • im Gebet um Hilfe bitten

    ask for help in prayer

Similar words

Bitte: A request or plea directed to a person or a divine being.
Wunsch: A hope for something to happen or become true.
Andacht: A short prayer or quiet period of worship and devotion.

Definition in German

Das Gebet bezeichnet ein religiöses oder persönliches Sprechen oder Denken, mit dem man Bitte, Dank oder Fürbitte ausdrückt.

Word origin

German inherited Gebet from older Germanic forms, including Old High German gibet and Middle High German gebet, alongside beten.

Usage tips

  • The combining form Gebets- appears in compounds such as Gebetsbuch, adding an -s- before the second noun.

Related words

  • Gebetbuchprayer booknoun
  • Gebetsgemeinschaftprayer fellowshipnoun

Word lists with this word