German word

Pfarrei

Pronunciation

IPA/pfaˈʁaɪ̯/

Meaning

  • feminine nounparish

Example

In unserer Pfarrei gibt es viele Freiwillige.

There are many volunteers in our parish.

Illustration for Pfarrei (parish)

More examples

Die Pfarrei unterstützt Familien durch soziale Angebote.

The parish supports families through social services.

Core concept

The local area and congregation served together by one parish church and its priest.

Common phrases

  • eine Pfarrei gründen

    establish a parish

  • in der Pfarrei aktiv sein

    be active in the parish

  • das Leben in der Pfarrei

    life in the parish

Similar words

Pfarrgemeinde: A local church community organized around its parish priest.
Kirchengemeinde: A local church congregation, especially in Protestant usage.
Gemeinde: A social community formed by local residents.

Definition in German

Pfarrei bezeichnet die örtliche Kirchengemeinde als seelsorgerische Einheit unter einem Pfarrer.

Word origin

The noun developed from Middle High German forms based on Latin parochia, a church district term borrowed from Greek paroikia.

Usage tips

  • In Protestant contexts, Kirchengemeinde is often the more usual term, while Pfarrei is especially associated with Catholic usage.

Other meanings

  • parish communitynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word