German Conversation · Level 2
87 words
German word
Ritual
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁituˈaːl/
Meaning
- neuter nounritual
Example
Das Ritual beginnt um zehn Uhr.
The ritual begins at ten o'clock.
More examples
Das tägliche Ritual des Teetrinkens gibt mir Ruhe.
The daily ritual of drinking tea gives me peace.
Core concept
A set pattern of meaningful acts performed at a recognized occasion or as a regular social practice.
Common phrases
ein Ritual vollziehen
perform a ritual
sekuläres Ritual
secular ritual
tägliches Ritual
daily ritual
Similar words
Gewohnheit: A customary action repeated regularly by an individual or group.
Brauch: A traditional custom maintained by a particular community or region.
Sitte: A customary standard of behavior shared and observed by society.
Zeremonie: A formal, ceremonial act performed according to established steps.
Definition in German
Ein festgelegter, meist symbolischer Handlungsablauf bei religiösen oder gesellschaftlichen Anlässen.
Word origin
Ritual developed from Latin ritualis, an adjective formed from ritus, "rite," and entered German as a learned borrowing.
Usage tips
- Ritual usually suggests a fixed or symbolic form, whereas the broader word Gewohnheit means a habit or customary practice.
Other meanings
- ceremonynoun
- customnoun
Opposites
- Spontaneitätspontaneitynoun
- Improvisationimprovisationnoun
Related words
- Ritualisierungritualizationnoun
- ritualisierenritualizeverb
- rituellritualadjective