Usage Note
Heuchelei is hypocrisy, the feigning of virtue or feeling, from heucheln (to feign). The person is a Heuchler. It names a moral failing of insincerity, often levelled in political and religious critique. Plural Heucheleien for individual acts.
Examples
"Seine fromme Rede entpuppte sich als reine Heuchelei."
Natural Translation
His pious speech turned out to be pure hypocrisy.
Literal Translation
His pious speech unmasked itself as pure hypocrisy.

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