die Buße
Translation
penance, repentance, fine, atonement
Examples
Er tat Buße für seine Sünden.
He did penance for his sins.
Für das Falschparken musste er eine Buße zahlen.
He had to pay a fine for illegal parking.
Grammar Patterns
to do penance ((for sth.)) He did penance for his sins.
to pay a fine ((for sth.)) He had to pay a fine for illegal parking.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Reue (remorse), Sühne (atonement), Strafe (punishment)
Etymology
From Old High German 'buoza' (improvement, compensation), related to 'besser' (better).
Memory Tips
Think of making things 'better' (besser) after a wrongdoing, either through repentance or by paying a fine.