German word

Mönch

Pronunciation

IPA/mœnç/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmonk

Example

Der Mönch betet jeden Morgen.

The monk prays every morning.

Illustration for Mönch (monk)

More examples

Er lebt seit Jahren als Mönch in einem abgelegenen Kloster.

He has been living as a monk in a remote monastery for years.

Core concept

A monastery resident whose simple life is organized around prayer, shared work, and renouncing marriage.

Common phrases

  • benediktinischer Mönch

    Benedictine monk

  • franziskanischer Mönch

    Franciscan monk

  • als Mönch leben

    live as a monk

Similar words

Nonne: A female religious devotee living communally and devoted to prayer and service.
Priester: A religious official who leads worship and performs church ceremonies.
Kloster: A religious community and residence for monks or nuns, centered on shared worship.
Kirche: A building used for worship and other religious ceremonies.

Definition in German

Mönch bezeichnet jemanden, der als Mitglied eines Ordens im klösterlichen Gemeinschaftsleben betet, arbeitet und auf Ehe verzichtet.

Word origin

The German noun comes through Old High German munih and Latin monachus from Greek monakhos, which is related to the idea of being alone.

Usage tips

  • As a German noun, Mönch is always capitalized, and its plural is Mönche rather than a form ending in -s or -en.

Related words

  • Mönchsgelübdemonk's vownoun
  • Mönchszellemonk's cellnoun
  • Mönchslebenmonastic lifenoun

Word lists with this word