sin
gb/sˈɪn/ us/sˈɪn/
B1
English
~ 4000
bűn, vétkezik, bűnt követ el, kár, vétek
NOUN
B1
1
bűn
B1
Usage pattern:
commit [a sin]
Many religions teach that stealing is a sin.
Sok vallás azt tanítja, hogy a lopás bűn.
He confessed his sins to the priest.
Meggyónta bűneit a papnak.
Pride is often described as the greatest sin.
They believe helping the poor can wash away past sins.
Learner examples
Stealing is a sin in many religions.
A lopás sok vallásban bűn.
He told the priest about his sins.
Elmondta a papnak a bűneit.
Lying is a sin.
She asked God to forgive her sins.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'sin' with 'crime'; crimes are against the law, while sins are against moral or religious rules.
Meaning
An immoral act against divine law
Collocations
commit a sin
|confess a sin
|forgive sins
|mortal sin
|original sin
Synonyms
offense (A more general term for a wrongdoing, not necessarily religious.)
|
transgression (A formal word for breaking a law or rule, often used in moral or religious contexts.)
Antonyms
virtue (The quality of doing what is morally right, opposite of sin in moral terms.)
Themes
religion
|ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you do that is very wrong according to religion or moral rules.
An act, thought, or way of behaving that is considered morally wrong or goes against religious laws.
VERB
B2
2
vétkezik
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] sins [by doing something]
He sinned by lying to his parents.
Vétkezett azzal, hogy hazudott a szüleinek.
She believes she has sinned against God.
Úgy hiszi, vétkezett Isten ellen.
Those who sin must seek forgiveness.
Learner examples
He sinned when he lied.
Vétkezett, amikor hazudott.
She sinned against the rules.
Vétett a szabályok ellen.
They believe they sinned by stealing.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sin' (verb) with 'sin' (noun) and may use the wrong form in a sentence.
Meaning
To commit a moral wrongdoing
Collocations
sin against God
|sin by lying
|sin greatly
Synonyms
transgress (A more formal term for breaking a law or moral rule, often used in religious contexts.)
Antonyms
obey (To follow and respect laws or rules, opposite of breaking them.)
Themes
religion
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do something bad according to religion or moral rules.
To do something that is considered morally wrong or against religious laws.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
It's a sin [that/when ...]
It's a sin to waste such good food.
Vétek ilyen jó ételt pazarolni.
What a sin that the concert was canceled.
Micsoda kár, hogy elmaradt a koncert.
It's a sin when talent goes unnoticed.
Learner examples
It is a sin to waste food.
Kár ételt pazarolni.
What a sin that you lost your job.
Micsoda kár, hogy elvesztetted az állásodat.
It is a sin that she cannot go.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this informal sense with the religious meaning and take it too literally.
Meaning
A shame or pity about something
Collocations
it's a sin to waste food
Synonyms
shame (Similar casual use meaning something unfortunate or regrettable, without moral context.)
Antonyms
blessing (Something fortunate or welcome, opposite of an unfortunate situation.)
Themes
daily life
|feelings
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something sad or bad that should not happen.
(Informal) Something unfortunate, regrettable, or wasteful, often said casually without moral judgment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sin
IPA
GB/sˈɪn/
US/sˈɪn/
Syllables & stress
sin (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sin)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sin
- Plural: sin, sins
Verb
- Base: sin
- 3rd Person Singular: sins
- Present Participle: sinning
- Past: sinned
Word family
Forms
sins
noun
sinning
verb
sinned
verb
Related words
sinfully
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
sinless
adjective
Advanced or less common
sinfulness
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: sinning Verb
- Irregular past: sinned Verb
Expressions
commit a sin
1/kəmˈɪt ə sˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Do something morally wrong by religious law
To do something bad according to religion or moral rules.
Examples
- He committed a sin by lying in court.
- They believe she committed a sin when she cheated.
mortal sin
1/mˈɔɹtəl sˈɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
Serious wrongdoing in Christian belief
A very bad sin in Christian religion that can cause loss of the soul if not forgiven.
Examples
- In Catholic teaching, murder is a mortal sin.
- Missing mass on Sunday was once considered a mortal sin.
original sin
1/ɚˈɪd͡ʒənəl sˈɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
Inherited sinful state from Adam and Eve
The belief in Christianity that all people are born sinful because of the first humans' disobedience to God.
Examples
- Baptism is believed to cleanse original sin.
- Original sin is central to many Christian teachings.
sin against [someone/something]
1/sˈɪn əɡˈɛnst sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Do wrong toward someone/something sacred
To do something bad to God, a person, or something important.
Examples
- He sinned against his own family by betraying them.
- They believe you can sin against nature by destroying it.