German word

Seelsorger

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzeːlˌzɔɐ̯gɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpastor

Example

Der Seelsorger tröstet die Trauernden.

The pastor comforts the mourners.

Illustration for Seelsorger (pastor)

More examples

Ein Notfallseelsorger war vor Ort und betreute die Betroffenen.

An emergency chaplain was on site and assisted those affected.

Core concept

A trusted religious or pastoral companion who supports people through grief, fear, and other personal crises.

Common phrases

  • Notfallseelsorger

    emergency chaplain

  • Militärischer Seelsorger

    military chaplain

  • Pfarrseelsorger

    parish pastor

Similar words

Pfarrer: A parish minister who leads church services and helps people in the local community.
Kaplan: A chaplain who cares for the spiritual needs of people in an institution.
Psychotherapeut: A mental health specialist who improves emotional well-being through talk therapy and treatment.
Sozialarbeiter: A community worker who supports people with personal, family, and social difficulties.

Definition in German

Person, die seelsorgerisch tätig ist und Menschen in Lebenskrisen begleitet, ohne dass dies zwingend eine kirchliche Weihe voraussetzt.

Word origin

Seelsorger combines Seele, meaning 'soul', with the agent noun from sorgen, 'to care', and literally denotes someone who cares for the soul.

Usage tips

  • Seelsorger is broader than pastor or priest because it can describe a trained counselor who has no religious ordination.

Other meanings

  • clergymannoun
  • chaplainnoun
  • counselornoun

Opposites

  • Weltlichersecular personnoun
  • Laielaypersonnoun

Related words

  • Seelsorgepastoral carenoun
  • Seelsorgerinfemale pastornoun
  • Pfarrseelsorgerparish pastornoun

Word lists with this word