German word

Gnade

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgnaːdə/

Meaning

  • feminine noungrace

Example

Er dankte der Gnade Gottes.

He gave thanks for God's grace.

Illustration for Gnade (grace)

More examples

Der Angeklagte bat den Richter um Gnade.

The defendant asked the judge for mercy.

Core concept

A powerful giver chooses not to punish and instead grants an unearned favor, pardon, or kindness.

Common phrases

  • um Gnade bitten

    ask for mercy

  • Gnade walten lassen

    show mercy

  • aus Gnade

    out of mercy

Similar words

Barmherzigkeit: Merciful help or comfort offered to someone who is suffering.
Vergebung: Pardon that frees someone from blame or punishment.
Nachsicht: Tolerance shown toward a small fault instead of strict punishment.
Gunst: A benefit or privilege granted because of personal favor or support.

Definition in German

Gnade ist die Nachsicht oder Vergebung, die jemand ohne Anspruch oder als freiwillige Gabe erhält.

Word origin

Gnade continues Old High German gnada through Middle High German gnade as an inherited Germanic noun with religious, legal, and general senses.

Usage tips

  • Gnade is feminine, and danken takes the dative, so Er dankte der Gnade Gottes contains the dative form der Gnade.

Other meanings

  • mercynoun
  • pardonnoun

Opposites

  • Gnadenlosigkeitmercilessnessnoun
  • Grausamkeitcrueltynoun

Related words

  • gnädigmercifuladjective
  • Gnadenerlassamnestynoun
  • gnädigerweisemercifullyadverb

Word lists with this word