German Conversation · Level 26
90 words
German word
Sekte
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈzɛktə/
Meaning
- feminine nouncult
Example
Viele Menschen gehören einer Sekte an.
Many people are members of a cult.
More examples
Sie versuchten, Mitglieder aus der Sekte zu befreien.
They tried to free members from the cult.
Core concept
A small religious circle closes ranks around one doctrine or a compelling leader, separating insiders from the wider community.
Common phrases
jemanden aus einer Sekte befreien
free someone from a cult
die Lehren einer Sekte
the teachings of a cult
den Anführer einer Sekte entmachten
depose the leader of a cult
Similar words
Kult: A religious community or practice organized around excessive devotion and distinctive rituals.
Neue religiöse Bewegung: A neutral term for a relatively new religious movement with its own beliefs and structure.
Definition in German
Sekte bezeichnet eine meist kleine, geschlossene religiöse Gemeinschaft, die einer bestimmten Lehre oder einem charismatischen Führer folgt.
Word origin
German Sekte comes through French secte from Latin secta, meaning a following or school, derived from sequi, 'to follow'.
Usage tips
- Sekte is usually negative in modern German, while religiöse Gemeinschaft or neue religiöse Bewegung can sound more neutral.
Other meanings
- sectnoun
Opposites
- Kirchechurchnoun
Related words
- Sektenführercult leadernoun
- sektiererischsectarianadjective
- sektenhaftcult-likeadjective