German word

Nonne

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnɔnə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounnun

Example

Ich habe eine Nonne im Krankenhaus getroffen.

I met a nun at the hospital.

Illustration for Nonne (nun)

More examples

Ich möchte eine Nonne kennenlernen, um mehr über ihr Leben im Kloster zu erfahren.

I would like to get to know a nun to learn more about her life in the monastery.

Core concept

A vowed member of a religious community whose life centers on shared prayer, work, and residence in a convent.

Common phrases

  • eine Nonne kennenlernen

    get to know a nun

  • über eine Nonne sprechen

    talk about a nun

Similar words

Ordensfrau: A vowed female member of a religious order.
Schwester: A woman in a convent community devoted to prayer and religious work.
Novizin: A female novice preparing to become a nun.
Äbtissin: The female head responsible for running a convent.

Definition in German

Eine Frau, die das Ordensleben gewählt hat, im Kloster wohnt und durch Versprechen an Gebet, Arbeit und Gemeinschaft gebunden ist.

Word origin

The German noun Nonne is a borrowing from Latin nonna through Old and Middle High German forms, retaining its religious sense.

Usage tips

  • Schwester can also mean a nun in a religious context, but it commonly means a biological or nursing sister, so Nonne is more specific.

Opposites

  • Weltlichersecular personnoun
  • Laielaypersonnoun

Related words

  • Nonnengewandnun's garmentnoun
  • Nonnenhabitnun's habitnoun

Word lists with this word