German Conversation · Level 164
30 words
German word
Kaplan
Pronunciation
IPA/kaˈplaːn/
Meaning
- masculine nounchaplain
Example
Die Kapläne besuchen die kranken Patienten im Krankenhaus.
The chaplains visit sick patients at the hospital.
More examples
Der Kaplan spendet vor der Beerdigung ein Gebet.
The chaplain says a prayer before the funeral.
Core concept
A clergy member assigned to a hospital, prison, parish, or other institution provides personal spiritual care there.
Common phrases
der Kaplan der Gemeinde
the parish chaplain
als Kaplan tätig
working as a chaplain
ein Kaplan im Krankenhaus
a chaplain in the hospital
Similar words
Seelsorger: A pastoral counselor who helps people with emotional and spiritual concerns.
Pfarrer: A parish priest who oversees a local congregation and conducts worship.
Geistlicher: A broad term for someone with religious office or responsibilities.
Definition in German
Ein Geistlicher, der in einer Pfarrei oder in Institutionen wie Krankenhaus oder Gefängnis als Seelsorger tätig ist und praktische seelsorgerische Aufgaben übernimmt.
Word origin
German Kaplan comes through Middle High German kaplan from Church Latin capellanus, which is ultimately connected with Latin cappa, a cloak.
Usage tips
- Kaplan is masculine, with the plural Kapläne and the genitive singular Kaplans; the plural changes a to ä.
Other meanings
- assistant priestnoun
Opposites
- Laielaypersonnoun
Related words
- Kaplaneichaplaincynoun
- Hilfskaplanassistant chaplainnoun