German Conversation · Level 48
75 words
German word
predigen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈpʁeːdɪgən/
Meaning
- verblecture
Example
Meine Mutter predigt mir immer.
My mother is always lecturing me.
More examples
Am Sonntag predigt er in der Kirche über Vergebung.
On Sunday he preaches in church about forgiveness.
Core concept
Someone keeps addressing another person in a solemn, sermon-like tone about proper behavior.
Common phrases
predigen in der Kirche
preach in church
predigen über Vergebung
preach about forgiveness
predigen mit erhobenem Zeigefinger
lecture in a finger-wagging manner
Similar words
belehren: To teach someone what they need to know or how to do something correctly.
moralisieren: To press moral advice on others in an overbearing way.
ermahnen: To admonish someone for bad behavior and urge improvement.
rügen: To officially condemn someone for improper conduct.
Definition in German
jemandem wiederholt moralische Ratschläge geben oder ihn mahnend belehren
Word origin
German predigen developed from Latin praedicare through older German forms and retained its religious sense while gaining a figurative sense for moral lecturing.
Usage tips
- Predigen often sounds reproachful or patronizing in everyday speech, so it is stronger than neutral verbs such as hinweisen or erklaeren.