German word

Kirche

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkɪʁçə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounchurch

Example

Wir gehen morgen in die Kirche.

We are going to church tomorrow.

Illustration for Kirche (church)

More examples

Am Sonntag singt sie in der Kirche.

On Sunday she sings in the church.

Core concept

A Christian place of worship that also stands for the organized body around it.

Common phrases

  • in die Kirche gehen

    go to church

  • die Kirche besuchen

    visit the church

  • in der Kirche singen

    sing in the church

Similar words

Gottesdienst: A service of worship or religious observance held in a church.
Kapelle: A modest building or room set aside for Christian worship.
Dom: A large church, sometimes serving as the seat of a bishop.
Kirchengemeinde: The worshippers and administrative organization of a local church.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für das Gotteshaus der Christen und übertragen auch für die Gesamtheit der kirchlichen Institutionen.

Word origin

Kirche comes through Old High German kirihha from Greek kyriakon, meaning "belonging to the Lord," and became the German term for a Christian place of worship.

Usage tips

  • With the two-way preposition in, in die Kirche marks movement or destination, while in der Kirche marks location.

Opposites

  • Weltlichkeitworldlinessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word