Unehre
Er brachte seiner Familie Unehre, indem er das Gesetz brach.
He brought dishonor upon his family by breaking the law.
loss of honor or reputation due to shameful actions
Die Veröffentlichung des Skandals brachte der Firma große Unehre ein.
The publication of the scandal brought great dishonor upon the company.
Often used in contexts involving moral failure or disgrace.
a state of being disgraced or shamed
Er lebte in Unehre, nachdem seine Taten bekannt wurden.
He lived in disgrace after his actions became known.
Can refer to a permanent or temporary state of dishonor.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Avoiding Confusion with 'Schande'
'Unehre' implies a more permanent or systemic loss of honor, often tied to moral or ethical failure, whereas 'Schande' can refer to temporary shame or embarrassment. For example, 'Schande' might be used for a minor social faux pas, while 'Unehre' suggests a severe breach of trust or principle.
Gold Rule
Formal Context
Use 'Unehre' in contexts involving moral failure, legal or ethical violations, or historical narratives. Avoid using it in casual conversation.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'unêre', combining the prefix 'un-' (negation) and 'êre' (honor, reputation). The word has been in use since at least the 13th century.
Usage Notes
Unehre is a formal term used primarily in literary, historical, or moral contexts. It is less common in everyday speech compared to 'Schande' (shame) or 'Blamage' (embarrassment).