Schicksal

Etymology
17th century, from, after now archaic (c. 16).

Noun

 * 1)  destiny, fate irresistible power that predetermines events
 * 2)  someone's destiny, fate
 * 3)  life story; the general conditions and main developments of a person's life;

Usage notes

 * The normal plural is Schicksale. The form Schicksäler is more informal and sometimes slightly deprecative, e.g. expressing the notion that people exaggerate the bitterness of their fates. However, it is also attestable as an entirely neutral variant.