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Grabkerze

grave candle, memorial candle

noun GRAHP-kair-tse Rare

Usage Note

Grabkerze is a candle placed on a grave, especially common on Allerheiligen (All Saints' Day) and Totensonntag. Germans regularly tend graves with candles and flowers; Grabkerze anzünden (to light a grave candle) is a widespread devotional act.

Examples

"An Allerheiligen zündeten sie auf dem Friedhof eine Grabkerze für die Verstorbenen an."

Natural Translation

On All Saints' Day they lit a grave candle for the deceased at the cemetery.

Literal Translation

On All-Saints they lit on the cemetery a grave-candle for the deceased.

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