Skip to content

Geistlicher

clergyman

noun GAYS-tli-kher Rare

Also means

minister, priest

Usage Note

Geistlicher is a broad, denomination-neutral word for any ordained minister or priest, used across Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox contexts. The feminine form is Geistliche; the plural Geistliche.

Examples

"Der Geistliche sprach ein Gebet am Grab des Verstorbenen."

Natural Translation

The clergyman said a prayer at the grave of the deceased.

Literal Translation

The clergyman spoke a prayer at-the grave of-the deceased.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore German by topic