das Kreuzzeichen
/das ˈkʁɔʏ̯(ts)ˌtsaɪ̯çən/word by word
The sign of the cross in German is das Kreuzzeichen.
das Kreuzzeichen refers to the religious gesture of tracing a cross on one's body. To express the act of performing this gesture, you typically use the phrase das Kreuzzeichen machen (to make the sign of the cross).
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Kreuz, meaning cross and Zeichen, meaning sign.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is neuter, which is why it uses the article das. The plural form of the word is die Kreuzzeichen.
How do you pronounce it?
/das ˈkʁɔʏ̯(ts)ˌtsaɪ̯çən/
When do people say it?
When performing the gesture formally, one might say: Im Namen des Vaters und des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes. Amen, which means "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Did you know?
- If you were to use the word Kreuz alone in a secular context, it can also be used as a slang term for a 'nuisance' or an 'annoying person'.
- In German, the phrase is a 'calque', which means it was constructed by translating the Latin 'signum crucis' word-for-word into German components.
- The component Zeichen is frequently used in German to mean 'punctuation mark', such as a full stop or comma, showing how broad the concept of a 'sign' is.
Examples in context
- Das Kreuzzeichen ist eine alte Tradition.The sign of the cross is an old tradition.
- Sie macht vor dem Gebet das Kreuzzeichen.She makes the sign of the cross before praying.
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are sitting in a church.
- JuliaMachst du vor dem Gebet das Kreuzzeichen?Do you make the sign of the cross before praying?
- LukasJa, das mache ich immer.Yes, I always do that.
- JuliaLukas, ist das für dich wichtig?Lukas, is that important to you?
- LukasJa, es ist ein schöner Brauch.Yes, it is a beautiful custom.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (das, Kreuzzeichen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kreuzzeichen, das, CC BY-SA 4.0.
